Comparing E968 - Erythritol vs E420I - D-sorbitol

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Overview

E968 - Erythritol

Erythritol (E968) is a sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener and humectant in many “sugar‑free” and “no added sugar” foods. It provides about 60–70% of the sweetness of table sugar with a clean taste and is heat‑stable for baking and cooking. It is authorized in the EU as the food additive E968 and widely used worldwide.

E420I - D-sorbitol

D-sorbitol (E420i) is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten, thicken, and keep foods moist. It tastes milder than table sugar and helps products stay soft and fresh for longer.

Synonyms

E968

Erythritol

Meso-erythritol

Tetrahydroxybutane

E-968

E 968

E420i

D-sorbitol

D-glucitol

Functions

bulking agent sweetener

humectant sweetener

Origins

Products

Found in 2,409 products

Found in 29 products

Search rank & volume

#6163.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#366240 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×9.87

over-aware

×1.18

normal

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Is erythritol bad for you?
No—regulators (e.g., FDA, EFSA) consider erythritol safe at typical food-use levels, and it doesn’t raise blood sugar or cause tooth decay. Large amounts can cause digestive upset, and a recent observational study linked high blood erythritol levels with cardiovascular risk, but causation hasn’t been shown.
What are the dangers of erythritol?
The main concern is gastrointestinal discomfort (bloating, diarrhea) when large amounts are consumed; in the EU, polyol-containing foods may carry a laxative-effect warning. An observational study has linked high circulating erythritol with cardiovascular events, but evidence is not conclusive and guidance has not changed.
Is erythritol safe?
Yes—it's authorized in the EU (E968) and considered GRAS in the U.S., with no safety concern at reported uses. Some people may experience digestive upset if they consume a lot at once.
What is erythritol made from?
It’s typically produced by fermenting glucose (often from corn or wheat starch) with yeast-like microorganisms (e.g., Moniliella), then purified and crystallized.
Does erythritol raise blood sugar?
No—erythritol has little to no effect on blood glucose or insulin and is largely excreted unchanged.