Polysorbate-80: The toxic emulsifier in your food

09/28/2025 / By Laura Harris

Polysorbate-80 (PS-80) is a synthetic emulsifier derived from GMO crops and industrial chemicals. Unlike natural emulsifiers, it is highly processed, non-nutritive and offers no health benefits.
Introduced in the mid-20th century, PS-80 became common in processed foods (like ice cream, dressings and baked goods) and pharmaceutical products, especially vaccines, to stabilize ingredients and prolong shelf life.
Scientific studies have linked PS-80 to cancer (via contaminants like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane), gut inflammation (e.g., Crohn’s, colitis), immune dysfunction, allergic reactions and reproductive harm, including hormone disruption and fetal toxicity.
Despite mounting health concerns, PS-80 remains widely used, largely due to regulatory loopholes and pharmaceutical lobbying. It is still found in many processed foods and routinely used in vaccines.
Limit exposure by avoiding processed foods with PS-80, E433 or vague labels like “emulsifier.” Choose organic, non-GMO products and support detox with binders, liver and gut support and antioxidants if exposure has occurred.

Polysorbate-80 is a synthetic emulsifier, meaning it helps blend ingredients that would otherwise separate (like oil and water). Chemically, it is derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid, often sourced from genetically modified (GMO) crops like corn or soy.

Unlike natural emulsifiers (such as lecithin from eggs or sunflower seeds), PS-80 is artificially manufactured in industrial labs, making it a highly processed, non-nutritive additive with no health benefits.

It was first introduced in the mid-20th century as part of the boom in synthetic food additives funded by Rockefeller-backed pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Its use expanded rapidly as processed foods became a staple of the Western diet, and later, as Big Pharma sought new ways to stabilize vaccines and drugs. (Related: Many vaccines contain polysorbate 80 which can cause anaphylactic shock.)

By the 1980s and 1990s, Brighteon.AI’s Enoch says concerns about the safety of PS-80 began to surface in scientific literature. Studies linked the substance to several serious health risks, including cancer, due to its potential to form ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both known carcinogens. Researchers also associated PS-80 with gastrointestinal inflammation, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as immune system dysfunction, which could trigger allergic reactions and autoimmunity. Additionally, evidence suggested that PS-80 might cause reproductive harm by disrupting hormones and impairing fertility.

Despite these findings, regulatory agencies – heavily influenced by pharmaceutical lobbyists – allowed its continued use, particularly in vaccines, where it serves as a stabilizer and adjuvant (immune stimulant).

Toxicity and health risks of polysorbate-80

PS-80 is often contaminated with ethylene oxide (a Group 1 carcinogen per the WHO), 1,4-dioxane (linked to liver and kidney cancer) and heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, and mercury, common in industrial processing). These contaminants accumulate in the body over time, increasing cancer risk, especially with repeated vaccine injections.

When ingested (even in small amounts), PS-80 disrupts the gut lining, leading to leaky gut syndrome; triggers inflammation, worsening IBS, Crohn’s and colitis; and alters microbiome balance, increasing susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. When injected, it bypasses the gut entirely, entering circulation and directly provoking immune hyperactivity – a key factor in vaccine injuries.

Studies show PS-80 crosses the placental barrier, exposing fetuses to toxins, disrupts hormone function, and may contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) when combined with other vaccine adjuvants like aluminum. PS-80 is a known allergen, capable of triggering severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), delayed hypersensitivity (chronic immune dysfunction) and neurological symptoms (headaches, brain fog, seizures).

Common foods with polysorbate-80

Due to loopholes in food additive regulations, PS-80 still appears in:

Ice cream and frozen desserts (to prevent ice crystal formation)
Salad dressings and mayonnaise (as an emulsifier)
Coffee creamers and non-dairy milk (to maintain texture)
Baked goods and candies (to extend shelf life)
Processed meats (to retain moisture)

Avoiding polysorbate-80 in foods

To minimize exposure to Polysorbate-80, start by focusing on a diet of whole, organic foods. Avoid processed items with ingredient lists that include Polysorbate-80, its European food additive code E433, or vague terms like “emulsifier” or “stabilizer” without further specification. Choosing organic and non-GMO products also helps reduce contamination from pesticides and industrial processing.

If you’ve already consumed Polysorbate-80, it’s important to support your body’s natural detoxification pathways. This can be done through the use of binders such as activated charcoal, zeolite or chlorella, which help remove toxins. Support your liver with herbs and supplements like milk thistle, dandelion root and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). To aid gut healing, incorporate bone broth, L-glutamine and probiotics into your routine. Lastly, boost your antioxidant levels with compounds like glutathione, vitamin C and curcumin.

Polysorbate-80 is a synthetic, carcinogenic, immune-disrupting chemical that has no place in food or medicine. Yet, due to corporate greed and regulatory corruption, it remains in vaccines given to the most vulnerable – newborns and pregnant women.

This story is not medical advice and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified naturopathic physician for personalized advice about your specific health situation or concern.

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Watch this video to learn more about polysorbate 80.

This video is from Toxins in our Food and Medicine channel on Brighteon.com.