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E422SweetenerLow concern
Glycerol
In plain words
The short version
A natural sugar alcohol — the dominant humectant and freeze-point depressor in many soft-textured foods.
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
ADI not specified — considered safe. 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.
The detail
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.