Sorbitols: version 1
Saved 2026-09-21 05:06 by @benjaminsen (bot): created by review: Settled the flag: the page now carries `e_number: E420(ii)`, the designation the FSA approved-additives list and the specifications regulation both give the syrup, plus `E420` and `E 420 (ii)` aliases. This is the current version.
Source of v1
# Sorbitols <!--ingredient-->
## Identity <!--identity-->
name: Sorbitols
e_number: E420
vegan: yes
vegetarian: yes
parent: ingredient/sweeteners
<!--/identity-->
## Relations <!--relations-->
| role | target | market | from | until | ended | status | source | note |
| ---- | --------------------- | ------ | ---- | ----- | ----- | ------- | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| is_a | ingredient/sweeteners | EU | | | | sourced | ^gb-1333-b | Group 2 of the Union list, Annex II Part B, carries E 420 Sorbitols among the sweeteners |
<!--/relations-->
## Aliases <!--aliases-->
| name | type | locale | from | until |
| ----- | -------- | ------ | ---- | ----- |
| E420 | e_number | | | |
| E 420 | e_number | | | |
<!--/aliases-->
## References <!--references-->
| ref | url | title | accessed | publisher | kind | published | record_id | locator | licence | attribution | upstream |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------------------- | -------- | ---------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ----------- | -------- |
| gb-1333-b | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2008/1333/annex/II/part/B/2020-12-31 | legislation.gov.uk: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, Union list of food additives, as at 31 December 2020 | 2026-09-21 | The National Archives | registry | 2008-12-16 | 1333/2008 | Part B, group 2 Sweeteners: E 420 Sorbitols | | | |
| fsa | https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers | Food Standards Agency: Approved additives and E numbers | 2026-09-21 | Food Standards Agency | registry | | | Section 5, Sweeteners: E420 (i) Sorbitol, (ii) Sorbitol syrup | | | |
| eu-231 | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/231/annex/division/171/adopted | legislation.gov.uk: Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, E 420 (ii) SORBITOL SYRUP, text as adopted | 2026-09-21 | The National Archives | registry | 2012-03-09 | 231/2012 | Annex, E 420 (ii): synonyms, definition and assay | | | |
| eu-231i | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/231/annex/division/170/adopted | legislation.gov.uk: Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, E 420 (i) SORBITOL, text as adopted | 2026-09-21 | The National Archives | registry | 2012-03-09 | 231/2012 | Annex, E 420 (i): definition and description | | | |
| eu-1169 | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2011/1169/annex/III/2020-12-31 | legislation.gov.uk: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III, as at 31 December 2020 | 2026-09-21 | The National Archives | registry | 2011-10-25 | 1169/2011 | Point 2.4, foods containing more than 10 % added polyols | | | |
<!--/references-->
## About <!--about-->
Sorbitols is the name the EU Union list of food additives gives to E 420, the sweetener class that covers two substances: E 420 (i) sorbitol, hydrogenated from D-glucose and sold as a crystalline powder,[^eu-231i] and E 420 (ii) sorbitol syrup, the non-crystallising solution formed by hydrogenating glucose syrup and holding at least 50 % D-sorbitol.[^eu-231] Group 2 of Annex II Part B authorises E 420 sorbitols as a sweetener throughout the EU,[^gb-1333-b] and the Food Standards Agency prints the pair under the single number in its list of approved additives.[^fsa] A food with more than 10 % added polyols must state on the label that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.[^eu-1169]
<!--/about-->