mannitol
Basic Information
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | D-甘露糖醇 |
| English name | mannitol |
| INS/E number | INS 421 |
| Functional class | Anticaking agent, Bulking agent, Carrier, Humectant, Stabilizer, Sweetener, Thickener |
| Year adopted | 1999 |
| Approved by | Australia/New Zealand (FSANZ), European Union (EFSA) |
What is it?
mannitol (INS 421) is a Anticaking agent, Bulking agent, Carrier, Humectant, Stabilizer, Sweetener, Thickener food additive. Used to prevent caking of powdered or granular foods and maintain flowability.Used to increase bulk or replace sugar/fat to provide body, usually low-calorie.Used to carry, dilute or stabilise other additives or nutrients for easier dispersion and addition.Used to retain moisture and prevent foods from drying out and hardening.Used to keep the physical state of foods stable, preventing separation, sedimentation or syneresis.Used to provide sweetness, replacing or partially replacing sugar to reduce calories or prevent caries.Used to increase viscosity and improve mouthfeel and body.
Source
Natural：Inert inorganic substances such as aluminosilicates, silica, magnesium carbonate.E.g. dietary fibres, polyols, modified starches.E.g. maltodextrin, glycerol, vegetable oil.Mostly naturally occurring polyols (e.g. glycerol, sorbitol).Mostly natural gums, proteins or polysaccharides (e.g. gelatin, pectin, locust bean gum).Includes sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol) and natural high-intensity sweeteners (e.g. steviol glycosides).Mostly natural polysaccharides or proteins (e.g. pectin, xanthan, carrageenan, starch).
Industrial：Purified or synthesised.Processed.Including modified starches.Produced by hydrogenation or fermentation processes.Some are physically or chemically modified (e.g. carboxymethyl cellulose, modified starches).Some high-intensity sweeteners are synthetic (e.g. aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose).Some are modified for performance (e.g. hydroxypropyl starch, CMC).
Why is it used?
- Prevent caking
- Maintain flowability
- Ease dosing and dispersion
- Provide bulk and body
- Lower energy density
- Replace sugar or fat
- Disperse additives evenly
- Ease dosing
- Improve stability
- Retain moisture
- Maintain soft texture
- Prevent caking
- Maintain homogeneity
- Prevent syneresis and sedimentation
- Improve texture and water retention
- Provide sweetness
- Reduce energy intake
- Lower caries risk
- Increase viscosity
- Improve body and mouthfeel
- Stabilise suspensions
Common Foods
- Salt
- Icing sugar
- Milk powder
- Instant drink powders
- Seasonings
- Low-energy foods
- Confectionery
- Bakery
- Dairy
- Flavours
- Colours
- Vitamin premixes
- Candied fruit
- Meat products
- Yoghurt
- Beverages
- Jelly
- Sauces
- Ice cream
- Diet beverages
- Chewing gum
- Tabletop sweeteners
- Soups
Safety
Mostly inert inorganic, non-absorbable, safe within permitted use.Mostly indigestible carbs or sugar alcohols, safe within permitted use.Mostly common food matrices, safe within permitted use.Safe within permitted use; excess sugar alcohols may have a laxative effect.Most act as dietary fibre or inert colloids and are safe within permitted use.Evaluated by JECFA/FDA/EFSA with ADI where applicable; excess sugar alcohols may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.Mostly indigestible polysaccharides, safe within permitted use; some act as dietary fibre.
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
mannitol is a Anticaking agent, Bulking agent, Carrier, Humectant, Stabilizer, Sweetener, Thickener, 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.