E420
E420(i) and E420(ii) are food additives approved by the EU (European Union) and used as natural sweeteners in food and drink products.
The common names for E420(i) and E420(ii) are sorbitol, and sorbitol syrup, respectively.
These sweeteners are natural carbohydrate alcohols obtained from berries. They can also be produced synthetically from glucose. These low calorie sweeteners are also used as bulking agents and stabilisers.
E420 is absorbed by the body. Some of it is metabolised as fructose, while the rest undergoes fermentation in the large intestine.
E420 may cause diarrhoea in infants younger than one year. These sweeteners may also cause flatulence, due to gases released during fermentation,
Examples of food/drink products that may include E420 (i) and E420 (ii):
- dried fruits
- bakery products
- low-calorie foods
- lollies