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.
Written by the Foodlas editorial team with AI assistance and checked against EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and EFSA scientific opinions. Last reviewed: October 14, 2026.
Sources: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 · EFSA — Food additives · Wikidata
Common in
Products containing E420
