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E420 · Humectants, Sequestrants, Stabilisers, Sweeteners, Thickeners

Sorbitol

Limited risk humectantsweetener

Polyol sweetener; laxative at high doses.

Category
Humectants, Sequestrants, Stabilisers, Sweeteners, Thickeners
Vegan
Yes
Vegetarian
Yes

What it is

Sorbitol (E420) is a sugar alcohol (polyol) that occurs naturally in fruits like apples, pears, and prunes (which is why prunes have a laxative effect). It provides about 60% of the sweetness of sugar with a fraction of the calories.

How it is used in food

Half the calories of sugar and tooth-friendly.

Commonly found in
  • Sugar-free chewing gum and mints
  • Diet candies and cough drops
  • Toothpaste (to keep it from drying out)
  • Pre-packaged cakes (as a humectant to retain moisture)

Health and safety

Unabsorbed sorbitol ferments in the colon, causing laxative effects at high doses.

Sorbitol is safe and does not promote tooth decay. However, because the human small intestine cannot fully absorb it, large amounts pass into the colon where they ferment and draw in water, causing bloating, gas, and severe osmotic diarrhea.

Laxative effect at high doses

general population · evidence: established

Unabsorbed sorbitol ferments in the large intestine. Consuming more than ~20-50g in a sitting will cause strong laxative effects, bloating, and flatulence.

EFSA re-evaluation of polyols

The reason sugar-free gum packs warn about laxative effects.

Regulatory status

RegionStatusNotes
Australia & New Zealand
FSANZ		 Permitted Permitted. Requires a laxative warning if the food contains significant amounts.
European Union
EFSA / European Commission		 Permitted Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II).
United States
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)		 Permitted GRAS. FDA requires a laxative warning if foreseeable consumption exceeds 50g per day.

Identification on labels

E-number
E420

Also printed asD-glucitol

Alternatives to this additive

  • E968: Erythritol — A newer sugar alcohol that is almost entirely absorbed in the small intestine, thus causing far fewer digestive issues than sorbitol.

How it is made

Commercially, it is produced by hydrogenating glucose (derived from corn starch or wheat).

  1. Hydrogenation — Glucose syrup is reacted with hydrogen gas under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst to convert the sugar into a sugar alcohol.

Worth knowing

A sugar alcohol found naturally in rowan berries and pears.

Conclusion

E420 is highly effective as both a sweetener and a moisture-retaining agent. Due to its potent digestive effects at high doses, products containing more than 10% added polyols must carry a laxative warning label in the EU.

References

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Entry last reviewed 2026-07-28.

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