Polysorbate 80 Exposed: What “Generally Recognized as Safe” Really Means — And Why You Should Care

🌿GRAS-Lighting: How We’ve Been Misled About What’s ‘Safe’ to Eat

You ever read a food label, stumble over something like Polysorbate 80, and think… “Wait, is that even edible?” So you do the responsible thing and ask,

“Is Polysorbate 80 safe?”

The answer?
“Yes, it’s GRAS.”
(Which stands for “Generally Recognized as Safe.”)

Now, on the surface, that sounds comforting—like a warm approval hug from the FDA. But here’s the thing: GRAS doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone—or even safe long-term. It just means someone (often the manufacturer) presented some data to some experts, who said, “Sure, it seems fine.” Sometimes without even notifying the FDA.

But here’s the real kicker…

🚫 GRAS Can Be Revoked (and It Has Been)

Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane:

• Cyclamates: Used in the 1950s as artificial sweeteners. GRAS. Removed in 1969 after cancer concerns.

• Trans fats (PHOs): GRAS for decades. Banned in 2015 for their role in heart disease. Looking at YOU, SEED OILS!!!

• Six synthetic flavorings: Once GRAS. Removed in 2018 due to animal studies showing cancer risk.

So yeah… “GRAS” isn’t a forever stamp of approval. It’s more like, “We thought it was okay, but oops—turns out, not so much.”

Learn more about GRAS from Dr. Mark Hyman HERE

🕵️‍♀️ Where You’re Actually Running Into Polysorbate 80

(Spoiler alert: It’s in way more than you’d guess.)

Polysorbate 80 is the emulsifying ninja—sneaking into your food, your face cream, and even your IV line. Whether it’s helping oil and water get along or extending shelf life, it’s everywhere. Here's where to keep an eye out:

🧃 Foods & Drinks

• Ice cream (Breyers, Ben & Jerry’s) – That creamy texture? Not just cream.

• Coffee creamers – Especially shelf-stable or powdered varieties.

• Packaged salad dressings – Think Kraft or store brands trying to keep oil & vinegar united.

• Protein shakes and powders – Used to emulsify and prevent clumping.

• Marshmallow fluff & frostings – Adds that spreadable smoothness.

• Chewing gum – Yes, even your minty sidekick.

• Artificial whipped cream – A fake fluff boost.

• Pickles and relishes – Some “refrigerated” or jarred kinds need emulsifiers to keep texture.

• Ivermectin products (like Durvet) – Yep, even some animal meds and anti-parasitics.

💊 Supplements & Pharma

• Liquid multivitamins & vitamin D drops – Common in baby vitamins and drops.

• Eye drops & artificial tears – Often used to stabilize formulas.

• Injectables – Including chemo drugs like Taxol, sedatives, and IV drugs like Amiodarone.

• Stool softeners – The irony, right?

• Certain prenatal vitamins & infant formulas – Especially liquid ones.

• COVID vaccines (like Janssen, a subsidiary of J & J) – Contained polysorbate 80 as a stabilizer.

💄 Body & Beauty Products

• Lotions, creams & moisturizers – Keeps oils and water smooth and creamy.

• Bath bombs – Especially the “milky” or moisturizing kinds.

• Hair conditioners & detanglers – Adds slip and shine.

• Makeup primers & some deodorants – Helps with spreadability and shelf life.

🧠 Why This Matters

Even if a substance is “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS), that doesn’t mean it's risk-free—especially for folks with leaky gut, autoimmune issues, allergies, or sensitive skin. That GRAS label? It’s based on decades-old standards—and companies can self-declare it without even telling the FDA. 🫣

🔍 Bottom Line?
Check your labels. Choose simpler. And remember—“safe” doesn’t mean “safe for you.”

😬 But Why Should We Care?

Well… here’s the real herb-powered tea:
Polysorbate 80 is considered GRAS and “approved”—but that’s not the same as neutral for your body.

• Gut permeability: Some animal studies suggest Polysorbate 80 can mess with the intestinal barrier (aka leaky gut territory).

• Allergic reactions: Especially when injected, it’s been associated with hypersensitivity reactions—even in some vaccines.

• Inflammation & microbiome disruption: It’s not definitively proven, but there are enough red flags to make the cautious person pause.

For someone struggling with autoimmunity, gut health issues, or chronic inflammation?
👉 This is not the additive you want showing up in your morning protein shake or prenatal.

🌿 So… Are Herbs Safer?

Herbs don’t sneak into your crackers with a fancy lab name and a bad attitude. Most of them have been used for centuries, handed down by grandmothers and medicine keepers who paid attention to what worked—and what didn’t.

But let’s be honest:
Not all herbs are safe.
And even the “safe” ones?
Not safe for everyone.

That’s where bio-individuality comes in—what works for your body, metabolism, and health status might not work for someone else. This is exactly why working with an herbalist who knows their stuff (hi! 👋) is so important.

Let’s look at a few favorite herbs—and where caution is key:

🍋 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Benefits:

• Calms the nervous system

• Eases anxiety and stress

• Great for gentle mood-lifting and relaxation

BUT...
If you have thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, use with caution. Lemon balm can suppress thyroid function in sensitive individuals. It doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but it does mean: ask before you sip.

🌱 Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

Benefits:

• Soothes dry coughs

• Coats irritated mucous membranes

• Gentle on the gut and helpful for reflux

Here’s the kicker: Marshmallow is for the dry, hacking, desert-in-your-throat type cough.
If you’re over there sounding like a bubble machine and blowing your nose every 12 seconds?
👉 You do not need marshmallow root.
It’s like pouring more lotion into a puddle.
Wet cough = different herbs (like thyme or elecampane). Trust me—you don’t want to throw mucilage on mucus. 😂

🌼 Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Benefits:

• Calms digestion and nerves

• Gentle on babies and grownups alike

• Helps with sleep, stress, and tension headaches

Chamomile is a sweetheart—unless you’re allergic to ragweed.
If that’s you, it might cause itchy eyes, congestion, or a mild allergic response. So, again: just because it’s in every sleepy tea doesn’t mean it’s a match for your body.

🌿 Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Benefits:

• Supports adrenal health

• Soothes the gut lining

• Antiviral and anti-inflammatory

BUT: If you have high blood pressure, or take medications that affect potassium levels, licorice can be too stimulating. There is a deglycyrrhizinated version (DGL), but again… work with someone who knows what questions to ask.

⚖️ Herbs Are Powerful. So is Education.

The truth is, just like food additives, herbs can be misused or misunderstood. The difference is: herbs come with history, tradition, and context—if we take the time to understand them.

Herbs don’t have billion-dollar PR teams. They have field notes, ancient texts, and generations of wisdom.

And that’s the kind of safety I believe in—not “Generally Recognized,” but Personally Researched and Responsibly Recommended.

💚 Final Thoughts from Your Herbal Hype Woman:

• Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

• Just because it’s GRAS doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

• Just because an herb is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for everybody.

✨ That’s why I do what I do. I ask questions most people don’t. I don’t hand you a bottle—I walk with you to understand what your body’s whispering (or yelling) at you.

So before you grab a random tea, tincture, or supplement—ask someone who actually listens to you, not just to trends.

You deserve that kind of care.
You deserve herbs that fit you.
And you deserve someone in your corner who knows how to read past the label and get to the truth.

🌿 Want to chat about which herbs are right for you?

Let’s schedule a wellness consult. I’ll bring the tea, you bring the questions.
Together, we’ll find what your body actually needs—not what the marketing says you should buy.

Book a Discovery Call with Me → CLICK HERE