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Lecithin (E322) — What You Need to Know

Safe(9/10)Natural

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Lecithin?

Lecithin is a natural fatty substance found in many plant and animal tissues. It was first isolated from egg yolk in 1845 (the word lecithin comes from the Greek word for egg yolk, 'lekithos'). Today, most commercial lecithin is derived from soybeans, sunflower seeds, or rapeseed. It is one of the most widely used and safest emulsifiers in the food industry.

What Is It Used For?

Acts as an emulsifier to keep water and fat from separating in chocolate, margarine, baked goods, and ice cream. Used in cooking sprays to prevent sticking. Also found in dietary supplements as a source of choline and phospholipids.

Function: Emulsifier, wetting agent, antioxidant
100 mg
Dataset exposure estimate

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
No ADI established — considered safe without a defined limit
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): Authorized
⚠️ Key Concerns

Extremely safe with no known adverse effects at normal food additive levels. People with severe soy allergies should be aware that soy lecithin contains trace amounts of soy protein, though most soy-allergic individuals can tolerate it. Sunflower lecithin is available as an alternative. No safety concerns have been identified by regulatory bodies.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Lecithin an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 9/10. This is 1.5 points above the database average for emulsifiers (7.5/10). Dataset reference year: 2017.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

ChocolateMargarineBaked goodsIce creamSalad dressingsCooking sprays
Example brands:
GhirardelliLindtHellmann's

Always check the label for E322 or 'Lecithin'

▶Chemical Information
CAS Number: 8002-43-5
INS Number: 322
Also known as: E322, INS 322, Soy lecithin, Sunflower lecithin, Phosphatidylcholine

Frequently Asked Questions about Lecithin

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS; EFSA/EU — Authorized. Reported concerns: Extremely safe with no known adverse effects at normal food additive levels. People with severe soy allergies should be aware that soy lecithin contains trace amounts of soy protein, though most soy-allergic individuals can tolerate it. Sunflower lecithin is available as an alternative. No safety concerns have been identified by regulatory bodies. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E322
INS Number
322
Category
Emulsifiers
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
GRAS
EFSA Status
Authorized
ADI
No limit
Dataset Review
2017
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

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Other emulsifiers in the same family

Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (E471)