Alternate Names

Glucitol, Sorbitol Syrup

Description

A sugar alcohol that occurs in berries, cherries, plums, apples, pears, peaches, prunes, algae, and seaweed. Also used as an anticaking agent, humectant and sweetener.

Additional Information

Used as a sugar substitute in candy and other sugar-free foods including those marketed to diabetics.

Found In

candy, vegetable oils, frozen desserts, diet foods, diet drinks, cough syrups, mints, sugar-free chewing gum, jam, jelly, baked goods, baking mixes, cough drops, dried fruit, diabetic foods

Possible Health Effects

Can cause diarrhea even in small quantities, especially in children. In excess quantities sorbitol may cause gastrointestinal distress.

Allergy Information

Corn, May be Genetically Engineered or Modified

Online Resources/Related

• US Food And Drug Administration, Code of Federal Regulations Title 21: Sorbitol, Revised April 1, 2010, US Food and Drug Administration

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008

Copyright April 4, 2011 Be Food Smart