Zinc stearate in food: ingestion safety

What is zinc stearate?

Also known as: Zinc octadecanoate, Stearic acid zinc salt, DODECAMETHYLPENTASILOXANE, 1,1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,9-Dodecamethylpentasiloxane.

IUPAC name

zinc stearate

CAS number

557-05-1

Molecular formula

Zn(C18H35O2)2

Molecular weight

632.36 g/mol

SMILES

C[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)C

PubChem CID

8853

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Zinc stearate. The classifications differ — that's the data.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter zinc stearate

• polyvinyl_chloride
• polyolefins
• food_packaging
• polymer_processing
• rubber_compounds

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Zinc stearate:

• Bio-based plasticizers (epoxidized soybean oil, citrate esters)
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
• Non-phthalate plasticizers (DINCH, DEHT) where phthalates are currently used
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Additive-free polymer formulations where performance allows
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)

Frequently asked questions