sorbitol
Basic Information
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 山梨糖醇(deepl翻译) |
| English name | sorbitol |
| INS/E number | INS 420 |
| Functional class | Humectant, Emulsifier, Sweetener |
| Year adopted | To be added. |
| Approved by | Australia/New Zealand (FSANZ), European Union (EFSA) |
What is it?
sorbitol (INS 420) is a Humectant, Emulsifier, Sweetener food additive. Used to retain moisture and prevent foods from drying out and hardening.Allows immiscible liquids (e.g. oil and water) to form a stable uniform system, improving texture.Used to provide sweetness, replacing or partially replacing sugar to reduce calories or prevent caries.
Source
Natural：Mostly naturally occurring polyols (e.g. glycerol, sorbitol).Some derive from natural raw materials (e.g. soy lecithin, egg-yolk phospholipids).Includes sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol) and natural high-intensity sweeteners (e.g. steviol glycosides).
Industrial：Produced by hydrogenation or fermentation processes.Many are made by esterifying glycerol with fatty acids or further derivatisation (e.g. monoglycerides, spans, tweens).Some high-intensity sweeteners are synthetic (e.g. aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose).
Why is it used?
- Retain moisture
- Maintain soft texture
- Prevent caking
- Stabilise oil-water emulsions
- Improve mouthfeel and structure
- Prevent separation
- Provide sweetness
- Reduce energy intake
- Lower caries risk
Common Foods
- Confectionery
- Bakery
- Candied fruit
- Meat products
- Margarine
- Ice cream
- Chocolate
- Sauces
- Diet beverages
- Chewing gum
- Tabletop sweeteners
Safety
Safe within permitted use; excess sugar alcohols may have a laxative effect.Largely metabolised in the gut; generally safe within permitted use; JECFA sets ADI where applicable.Evaluated by JECFA/FDA/EFSA with ADI where applicable; excess sugar alcohols may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Metabolism：Metabolic pathways vary by substance; generally the material is metabolised or excreted normally.
Concerns：
- Use within permitted levels
- Sensitive individuals should check the ingredient list
Usage Standard
China：依据 GB 2760《食品安全国家标准 食品添加剂使用标准》确定使用范围与最大使用量；具体限值随食品类别而异。
International：
- China GB 2760 National Food Safety Standard for Uses of Food Additives：https://www.cfsa.net.cn/
- Codex GSFA General Standard for Food Additives：https://www.fao.org/food-safety/codex-alimentarius/en/
- FAO/WHO JECFA (Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives)：https://www.fao.org/food-safety/scientific-advice/jecfa/en/
- US FDA Substances Added to Food：https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/substances-added-food-previously-food-additive-status-list
- EU EFSA Food Additives：https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/food-additives
In a nutshell
sorbitol is a Humectant, Emulsifier, Sweetener, safe for use in food production within permitted limits.
Disclaimer
The information provided here is for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or an evaluation/rating of any product or ingredient. This information may not apply to you; before using or taking any action, you should contact the manufacturer, vendor, medical, dietary, fitness, or other professionals. If you use any information provided here, you do so at your own risk.