E420: Sorbitol

What is E420?

Sorbitol (E420) is a sugar alcohol, or polyol, with about 60 percent of the sweetness of sugar and fewer calories. It occurs naturally in fruits such as apples, pears, plums and berries.

Origin and production

Commercially it is produced by hydrogenating glucose, usually derived from corn, wheat or potato starch. It is available as a powder or a syrup.

Why is it used?

Sorbitol sweetens sugar-free chewing gum, mints and sweets because it does not promote tooth decay in the way sugar does. It also keeps products moist and soft, so it is used as a humectant and bulking agent in cakes, confectionery and chocolate products.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

Sorbitol is plant-derived and suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It raises no particular halal or kosher issue.

Safety and regulation

Sorbitol is authorised as a sweetener and for other technical functions in the EU. Because excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, EU rules require a warning to that effect on foods containing more than 10 percent added polyols.

Common in