Sorbitol

Sorbitol (CAS 50-70-4), also known by the E-number E420, is a polyol humectant and sweetener.

Where is Sorbitol used?

• Food: bulk sweetener and humectant in sugar-free confectionery, baked goods and chewing gum, controlling water activity and extending shelf life
• Pharmaceutical: excipient in tablet coatings and in liquid oral preparations and sugar-free syrups
• Personal care: toothpaste, skin creams and hair care products, preventing drying and maintaining texture
• It retains moisture in finished products and acts as a chelating agent to stabilize formulations against metal-ion degradation.
• Found in reduced-calorie or sugar-free ice cream.
• Used in cosmetics as a humectant and thickener.
• Sorbitol syrup is used in ready-made sauces, jams and bakery products.
• Used in hair care products to retain moisture and reduce frizz.

Good to know: Its chelating capacity sequesters trace metal ions, preventing oxidative degradation in sensitive chemical mixtures.

Formulation notes

• Sorbitol syrup can be used instead of sugar thanks to its sweetening property.
• Has a mild sweet taste similar to conventional sugar, unlike xylitol or erythritol which have a cooling or mint-like effect.

Typical specification

• Sorbitol 70% has a reducing sugars limit of not more than 0.2% calculated as glucose equivalent.
• Sweetness is 50-60% that of sucrose.
• The sorbitol concentration of the syrup is 70 ± 1 %.
• Sorbitol 70% has a water content specification of 28.0% to 32.0%.

Regulatory status

• Sorbitol should be declared as E420i and sorbitol syrup as E420ii in the ingredient declaration on finished product labels in the EU.
• Sorbitol 70% complies with EU Regulation 231/2012 establishing specifications for food additives.
• The packaging materials comply with EU regulations for food contact materials (Regulation (CE) No 1935/2004 and No 10/2011, including amendments).
• Sorbitol 70% has INCI name Sorbitol 70%, D-Glucitol.

Storage, packaging and handling

• The sorbitol syrup should be stored in a cool, dry and closed environment.

Frequently asked questions about Sorbitol

How is sorbitol classified for trade purposes?

Sorbitol is classified under HS code 2905.44 for acyclic polyols.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.