Glycerol
The short version
A natural sugar alcohol — the dominant humectant and freeze-point depressor in many soft-textured foods.
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 numerical ADI is needed for its use as a food additive (EFSA 2017). In 2026 EFSA set an acute reference dose of 125 mg/kg body weight for a single consumption event. It found that a single serving of a slush ice drink containing glycerol (250 mL for children, 500 mL for others) would exceed this dose in all population groups, and it noted case reports of young children who became unwell (reduced consciousness, low blood sugar) shortly after drinking slush ice drinks. Endogenous lipid component, metabolized to glucose via the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway. Caloric value is similar to carbohydrates (4 kcal/g). Unlike sorbitol or xylitol, glycerol is well-absorbed and does not cause laxative effects at typical doses.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of glycerol (E 422) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 2017;15(3):4720, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4720 — EFSA (via PubMed Central), 2017. No numerical ADI needed; no safety concern at reported uses
- EFSA FAF Panel — Safety of acute exposure to the food additive glycerol (E 422) from beverages, EFSA Journal 2026;24(5):e10057, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10057 — EFSA (via PubMed Central), 2026. New acute reference dose; slush ice drinks exceed it; recommendation for maximum levels in beverages
- European Commission food additives database — Glycerol, E 422 (Union list, Group I) — European Commission, DG SANTE, 2026. EU authorisation via Group I (quantum satis)
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 182.1320 Glycerin (GRAS) — US FDA / Office of the Federal Register (eCFR), 2026. US GRAS status
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.