Sugar Alcohols

Additive

Sweeteners

Overview

Sugar alcohols or polyols including sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, and mannitol are industrially-produced sweeteners created through catalytic hydrogenation of sugars and starches. These compounds appear frequently in ultra-processed foods marketed as "sugar-free" while providing 0.2-2.6 calories per gram and serving as definitive NOVA Group 4 classification markers.

48,094

Products contain this

1,054

Ingredient variations

Common forms

Sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, mannitol

Function

Sugar alcohols function as humectants for moisture retention, bulking agents for texture modification, and crystallization inhibitors in processed food manufacturing. These polyols provide antimicrobial properties for shelf-life extension while enabling "sugar-free" and "reduced calorie" labeling claims in packaged foods and manufactured food ingredients.

Sources

Industrial production involves specialized catalytic hydrogenation using Raney nickel catalysts to convert sugars like lactose (lactitol), glucose (sorbitol), or xylose (xylitol) into their corresponding alcohol derivatives. Manufacturing requires sophisticated chemical plants with quality control systems including HPLC analysis and mass spectrometry for purity verification.

Health Considerations

Sugar alcohols can cause gastrointestinal distress including bloating and diarrhea due to osmotic effects and bacterial fermentation in the large intestine. While generally producing lower blood glucose responses than sugar, these compounds indicate industrial processing methods typical of ultra-processed food manufacturing.

Regulatory

The FDA classifies major sugar alcohols as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), with sorbitol affirmed under 21 CFR 184.1835 and others receiving self-affirmed GRAS status. Importantly, sugar alcohols are not classified as "added sugars" under current labeling requirements, creating potential consumer confusion about processing levels.

Common Variations (50 total)

Artificial Flavor]; Corn Syrup; Sugar; High Fructose Corn Syrup; Sorbitol; Nonfat Milk; Dairy Butter (Milk); Milk Fat; Contains 2% or Less of: Lecithin (Soy); Disodium Phosphate; Baking Soda; Vanillin,Bht (to Maintain Freshness). Mannitol,Blanched Almond Flour Erythritol Cocoa Powder (Alkalized) Chicory Root Fiber Baking Powder (Corn-free) (Organic Potato Starch,Chocolate Flavored Powder (Sweeteners [Maltitol,Coconut Flavored Chips (Maltitol,Dark Chocolate Flavored Maltitol Coating (Maltitol,*Erythritol,Erythritol+,Erythritol (968),Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract,Erythritol Locust Bean Gum Guar Gum Monk Fruit Extract,Flavour Sachet (Sweeteners (Erythritoland 38 more...