Japan was the first country that allowed the use of sucrose esters as food additives. The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare approved sucrose esters in 1959. Then, in 1969, FAO/WHO approved the use of sucrose esters.
Sucrose esters were approved and registered by European Food Safety Authority or EFSA under the E number of E 473.
In the US, sucrose esters were approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).