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  • Magnesium stearate is an alkaline earth metal salt of the straight chain, 18-carbon saturated fatty acid known as stearic acid. It is not very different chemically from soap, and is, in fact, a major component of soap scum. It is an important ingredient in many consumer products.

    Features

    Magnesium stearate is a waxy white substance that is acknowledged by the FDA as generally safe for human consumption.

    Pharmaceutical Industry

    Magnesium stearate has lubricating and binding qualities, making it useful as an excipient (an inactive substance used as a carrier) in the pressing and forming of powders into tablets which eject cleanly from their molds. Magnesium stearate is also used as a bulking agent in cosmetics.

    Food Industry

    Magnesium stearate is used as a binder for sugar in hard candy, such as breath mints. It is also used as a coating on foods to retard the absorption of moisture and to maintain texture.

    Vegetable Sources

    Historically, most stearic acid was derived from beef tallow. In 2009, the FDA stated that a major manufacturer has switched to vegetable-based product, and that the agency was not certain how this new source--and perhaps slight changes in product characteristics--would impact manufacturing processes.

    Expert Insight

    In 2004, the Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation assured the Japanese people that the possibility of contracting BSE ("mad-cow disease") from magnesium stearate will no longer be of concern when it originates with vegetable sources.

    Source:

    Ferro.com: Magnesium Stearate Lubricant Product Profile

    UPCFoodSearch.com: Magnesium Stearate

    FreePatentsOnline.com: Stearate treated food products

    More Information:

    Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation: A New Food Additive--Magnesium Stearate"

    FDA.gov: Magnesium Stearate Derived from Bovine and Vegetable Sources

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