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Magnesium stearate

Magnesium stearate suppliers and sourcing guide

Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic acid, a fine, white, soft powder that feels greasy. It is made by reacting a soluble stearate (from stearic acid) with a magnesium salt and precipitating it, or by direct reaction of the fatty acid with magnesium oxide. The fatty acid comes from vegetable oils such as palm or from tallow. Brands buy it in small amounts as a lubricant for tablet presses and capsule filling, and as a flow and anticaking agent.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt · Magnesium octadecanoate · E470b · Vegetable magnesium stearate
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of magnesium stearate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Vegetable source

    Made from palm, soy or other vegetable-derived stearic acid; many supplement brands specify this for vegetarian labels.

  • Pharmacopeial grade

    Tested to the USP-NF or Ph. Eur. monograph, which sets the stearic and palmitic acid content of the fatty acid fraction.

  • Food grade

    Tested to the Food Chemicals Codex for food and confectionery uses.

  • RSPO and non-GMO options

    Grades with RSPO certified palm sourcing or non-GMO feedstock documentation.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Infrared identity and a test for magnesium.
Magnesium assay
Magnesium content by complexometric (EDTA) titration on a dried basis.
Fatty acid composition
Stearic and palmitic acid content by GC, reported against the monograph ratio.
Loss on drying
Moisture against the specification; the hydrate form affects lubrication.
Specific surface area and particle size
BET surface area and particle size, which drive how strongly it lubricates and slows dissolution.
Heavy metals and micro
Lead, cadmium and nickel by ICP-MS, plus total aerobic count, yeast and mold.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidizers. It is a light, dusty powder, so handle with dust control. Shelf life or retest dates are set by the supplier, often several years, with identity, loss on drying and assay retested.

Lots and expiry dates

Surface area, particle size and fatty acid ratio vary by lot and supplier, and they change tablet hardness and dissolution even at the same level. Record those values per lot, keep the source (vegetable or animal) documented, and requalify before switching suppliers.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1440 affirms magnesium stearate as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient for use as a lubricant and release agent, a nutrient supplement and a processing aid.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 7 CFR 205.605 allows magnesium stearate as a synthetic substance only in products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))" and prohibits it in products labeled "organic".

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Lists of Permitted Food Additives allow magnesium stearate as a binding agent in foods sold in tablet form and as an anticaking agent in listed foods such as garlic salt and onion salt.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Magnesium stearate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking magnesium stearate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of magnesium stearate can brands buy?

Common forms include vegetable source, pharmacopeial grade, food grade and rSPO and non-GMO options. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for magnesium stearate include?

Expect identity, magnesium assay, fatty acid composition, loss on drying, specific surface area and particle size and heavy metals and micro, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should magnesium stearate be stored?

Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidizers. It is a light, dusty powder, so handle with dust control. Shelf life or retest dates are set by the supplier, often several years, with identity, loss on drying and assay retested.

What is the regulatory status of magnesium stearate?

21 CFR 184.1440 affirms magnesium stearate as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient for use as a lubricant and release agent, a nutrient supplement and a processing aid. 7 CFR 205.605 allows magnesium stearate as a synthetic substance only in products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))" and prohibits it in products labeled "organic". Health Canada's Lists of Permitted Food Additives allow magnesium stearate as a binding agent in foods sold in tablet form and as an anticaking agent in listed foods such as garlic salt and onion salt.

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