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Sweetener

E420 (sorbitol): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E420 is sorbitol, a sweetener. E420 can come from maize or fruit. Vegan and vegetarian profiles get Fits you.

By Bravoora teamUpdated Sources checked 4 sourcesHow we check

Fits you

for a vegan profile

E420=maize or fruit

What is E420?

E420 (sorbitol) is a sweetener, an additive that gives a food a sweet taste. Eating a lot may have a laxative effect. EU labels must say so when more than 10% is added.

What is E420 made from?

E420 can come from maize or fruit.

  • Maize
  • Fruit

Is E420 vegan?

Fits you. E420 can come from maize or fruit. Nothing from an animal.

What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.

VeganFits youE420 can come from maize or fruit. Nothing from an animal.
VegetarianFits youE420 can come from maize or fruit. Nothing from an animal.

What other names does E420 have on a label?

On a label, E420 can also appear as “INS 420”, “Sweetener (420)”, “Sweetener (E420)” or “Sorbitol”.

Any of these on a pack means E420. The checker reads them all.

E420E 420E-420INS 420Sweetener (420)Sweetener (E420)Sorbitol

What would change the answer for E420?

For E420, only the ingredient list itself: a code the camera cannot read gets Needs one more scan, and the app never guesses a code it cannot see.

Sources: EU, US and Codex additive rules

Where additives are listed and approved. Bravoora reads the source and the diet; it does not rate the hazard.

  1. EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives (the E-number list)
  2. EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II: the allergen sources a label must name
  3. US FDA: Food Additive Status List
  4. FAO/WHO Codex: General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) online

Names and classes cross-checked with Open Food Facts (Open Database License).

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