The Dirty Bits - Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80

Also known as Tween 80, Alkest TW 80, E433, Canarcel

Scientific Names: Polyoxyetheline (20) sorbitan monooleate, (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)

Would you drink any of these? Me either.

What is a dirty bit?

It's going to be a new series I'm working on about the dirty "bits" of consumer life; ingredients in vaccines, foods, and other products that are commonly used. A "dirty bit" is something you should avoid or watch out for, or at the very least be wary of. 

What is Polysorbate 80?

Well, a sorbate is something that can taken up by another substance by adsorption or absorption. Obviously with a prefix "poly" it means many. Polysorbate 80 functions to stabilize things - it's an emulsifier - it helps things bind together that normally wouldn't (ie. oil and water), or enhance those that would. It's also a surfactant - it helps break surface tension of liquids, so it is used in say, ice cream to help it stay smooth and keep it from melting too quickly. As a solubilizer, it helps things dissolve that otherwise wouldn't or enhance those that would, like in gelatin and medicine. [1]

So what is it used in?

Well, like I've stated before, it's used in many, many things. I could not begin to give you a comprehensive list, but I'll give a very small generalized list.

Shortening, condiments, cosmetics, hair care products (and in 90's it was advertised as a hair growth serum - since debunked, but still available), chewing gum, dietary products, vitamins, whipped deserts, ice cream, gelatin, pickled foods, liquid gels and soaps, hair sprays, eye drops, sunscreen, spermicide, antiperspirants, many medications, herbicides, and vaccinations. 

Which Vaccinations?

Polysorbate 80 can be found in Infanrix, Tripedia, TriHiBit, Kinrix, Pediarix, Pentacel, Gardisil, Fluarix, JE-Vax, RotaTeq, and Boostrix.