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E420SweetenerLow concern
Sorbitol
In plain words
The short version
A naturally occurring sugar alcohol about 60% as sweet as sucrose, common in sugar-free products.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
No ADI specified. Considered safe for humans. Doses above 30–50 g/day commonly cause osmotic diarrhea, bloating, and gas. EU mandates the label warning 'Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' above defined levels.
The detail
First isolated in 1872 from the berries of the mountain ash by Joseph Boussingault. Produced industrially today by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose.
Used in sugar-free chocolates, candies, chewing gum, and 'reduced sugar' baked goods. Also a humectant in personal care products. About 60% as sweet as sucrose with ~40% fewer calories (~2.6 kcal/g). Common in diabetic foods due to slower blood-glucose response.
White crystalline solid or syrup, very soluble in water. Hygroscopic — retains moisture in baked goods. Negative heat of dissolution gives a cooling sensation in the mouth.
Permitted in the EU and US. In the US it is GRAS at levels set by good manufacturing practice, with maximum levels by food category from 99% in hard candy and cough drops down to 12% in all other foods; foods whose reasonably foreseeable consumption may result in a daily intake of 50 g must state that excess consumption may have a laxative effect. Laxative warning required above defined levels in the EU.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — D-Sorbitol (INS 420(i)), evaluation 1982 — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1982. ADI not specified
- 21 CFR 184.1835 — Sorbitol (GRAS), eCFR current as of 2026-10-13 — U.S. eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO), 2026. US GRAS with GMP maximum levels; laxative statement at 50 g/day
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex III point 2.4 — EUR-Lex, Official Journal of the European Union, 2011. EU laxative warning above 10% added polyols
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.