Polysorbates have been approved as legal food additives in many nations and regions, including the European Union, the United States, Japan, Singapore and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
In 2018, polysorbates 20 was approved by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand(FSANZ to be used as food additive. It is approved to be used as an emulsifier with the combination of antibacterial agents in the production of processed meat and marine products to extend shelf-lives of products. According to the FSANZ, the maximum usage of polysorbate 20 is 500mg/kg.