Abstract: Fatty acid sorbitan esters by direct reaction of sorbitol with fatty acid using a phosphorus oxyacid, including reducing phosphorus oxyacid particulary phosphouous acid, catalyst system and an alkali or alkali earth metal base, particulaly oxide, hydroxide or carbonate, in an axid:base molar ratio of 0.9:1 to 1.7:1, at a calalust concentration of 1.5 to 30%, particularly 3 to 12%, by weight of sorbitol can have lower color than products of prior commercial bulk processes even without the use of activated carbon and product bleaching typically used previously. The esters can be further reacted with alkylene oxide to make desivatives, particularly polysorbates. The esters and polyalkyleneoxy detivatives are useful surfactants in various application. Products of low color made without using activated carbon or bleaching are attractive for personal care applications.