At a glance

How does Sorbitol appear on a UK label?

Names to look forsorbitol, sorbitol syrup, glucitol, E420, E420(i), E420(ii)
E-numberE420
Why it is usedSweetening, moisture retention and texture control.
Common inSugar-free sweets and gum, baked goods, sauces and some medicines.

Useful label-reading detail

Check the exact name or E420, the polyols line when present, the portion eaten and any laxative-effect warning.

How it is classified

A polyol (sugar alcohol) and FODMAP. It is not an emulsifier.

Why amount matters

Absorption is limited and gastrointestinal effects often increase with dose. Several pieces or servings can accumulate.

Evidence by study type

What do studies show about Sorbitol?

Systematic review

What was studied: The polyol literature reports compound- and dose-specific gastrointestinal effects rather than one response shared by every polyol.

What it cannot tell us: A review cannot turn ingredient presence into a personal prediction.

SourcesPolyol systematic review

What human studies show about Sorbitol

Human evidence supports dose-related laxative and gastrointestinal effects, with substantial variation between people.

SourcesPolyol systematic reviewUK food-labelling guidanceUK approved-additives listGreat Britain food-additive registerMonash label-reading guidance

What animal or laboratory studies suggest about Sorbitol

Animal findings are not needed to explain human osmotic and fermentation effects. Incomplete absorption can draw water into the bowel; colonic fermentation may add gas.

SourcesPolyol systematic reviewUK food-labelling guidanceUK approved-additives listGreat Britain food-additive registerMonash label-reading guidance

What we still do not know about Sorbitol

A label may not give sorbitol grams or predict an individual threshold.

Great Britain regulatory context

E420 is an authorised sweetener in Great Britain, subject to permitted uses and labelling rules.

SourcesPolyol systematic reviewUK food-labelling guidanceUK approved-additives listGreat Britain food-additive registerMonash label-reading guidance

Common questions

Questions people ask about this label

Are sorbitol, glucitol and E420 the same?

They are label names for sorbitol or its authorised forms. E420(i) is sorbitol and E420(ii) is sorbitol syrup.

SourcesUK approved-additives list

Why can sorbitol have a laxative effect?

When sorbitol is incompletely absorbed it can retain water in the bowel, and some reaches the colon for fermentation. The practical effect depends strongly on dose.

SourcesPolyol systematic review

Does naturally occurring sorbitol behave differently?

The molecule is the same; the exposure context differs. Whole fruit brings water, fibre and a particular portion, while a sweetened product may concentrate added sorbitol and be eaten repeatedly.

SourcesPolyol systematic review

References

Sources used for this page

  1. Lenhart and Chey (2017), Systematic review of polyols and gastrointestinal health
  2. UK Government, Food labelling: giving food information to consumers
  3. Food Standards Agency, Approved additives and E numbers
  4. Food Standards Agency, Register of food-additive authorisations for Great Britain
  5. Monash University, Label reading and how to spot FODMAPs

Written and evidence-checked by the GutGuard editorial team. We favour official UK guidance, systematic reviews and primary human research, and label animal, laboratory and exploratory findings clearly. Read our editorial method.