E420: Sorbitol syrup

What is E420?

E420ii is sorbitol syrup, a concentrated water solution containing mainly sorbitol along with other hydrogenated sugars. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol about 60% as sweet as sucrose that holds on to moisture very effectively.

Origin and production

Sorbitol syrup is made by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose syrup, which is itself produced from starch, typically from maize, wheat or potatoes. Sorbitol also occurs naturally in some fruits such as plums and pears.

Why is it used?

Manufacturers use sorbitol syrup as a sweetener, humectant and texture agent: it keeps sweets and cakes soft and moist and slows crystallisation. It is found in candies, gummy sweets, chocolate assortments, sponge-based biscuits such as Jaffa Cakes and many sugar-reduced confections.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

E420ii is produced from plant starch and is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It raises no particular halal or kosher concerns, and people with coeliac disease are protected by the fact that highly refined glucose syrups from wheat are exempt from gluten labelling.

Safety and regulation

Sorbitol syrup is authorised in the European Union both as a sweetener and for other technological purposes. Products with more than 10% added polyols must state that 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects'.

Common in