E420

E420 , Sorbitol

Low risk sweetener

Why this classification

Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect at high doses (mandatory EU warning).

Products containing E420

Roasted granola with chocolate & banana

happy creations

C

Produit 3518681016403

C

Gerlinea, saveur chocolat🍫

gerlineamon repas

C

Barres céréales protéinées chocolat, x6, 192g

u

C

Barre céréales Protéines shot Fruits rouges

feed

C

Protein crunchy caramel bar Cookie

accelerate

C

Rescue Pastilles saveur orange sureau

bach

C

Spiruline

juvamine

C

Acerola Premium Vitamine C 500

herbesan

C

NESTLE CHOCAPIC Barres de Céréales 8x25g

chocapic

C

Common uses in industrial food

Sorbitol (E420) is used by food manufacturers for replacing sugar in low-calorie drinks, dairy desserts, chewing gum and tabletop sweeteners. It is most often listed in the ingredient panel as E420, Sorbitol, or under one of its trade names. On a NutriDécrypte product page, this additive contributes to the additives axis (20% of the overall A to E grade), and triggers a label warning when its EFSA risk level is medium or high.

If you want to limit your exposure to this additive, the simplest tactic is to read the ingredients list (not just the front-of-pack), and to favour products graded A or B in our independent catalog. Less processed, NOVA-1 or NOVA-2 categories rarely contain it.

Related additives in the same family

Other E-numbers classified as sweetener in the EU food additives registry. Their risk profile and behaviour on a label are often similar.

Frequently asked questions

Is E420 (Sorbitol) safe?

EFSA classifies the risk level of E420 as low risk in its latest review. Always read the latest official opinion before drawing conclusions for your own diet, and consult a registered dietitian for medical questions.

What is E420 typically used for?

Food manufacturers use Sorbitol primarily for replacing sugar in low-calorie drinks, dairy desserts, chewing gum and tabletop sweeteners. You will most often find it in ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4) and rarely in unprocessed or minimally processed products (NOVA 1 or 2).

How can I avoid E420 on a label?

Look for the code E420 or its full name Sorbitol in the ingredients list, usually printed in small font on the back of the pack. Cooking from raw ingredients, choosing NOVA-1 or NOVA-2 alternatives, and using the NutriDécrypte rankings to filter by grade A or B are the three most reliable strategies.