Erythritol (E968)

Erythritol (E968) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Humectants are substances which prevent foods from drying out by counteracting the effect of an atmosphere having a low degree of humidity, or promote the dissolution of a powder in an aqueous medium.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Humectant: Humectants are substances which prevent foods from drying out by counteracting the effect of an atmosphere having a low degree of humidity, or promote the dissolution of a powder in an aqueous medium.
Sweetener: Sweeteners are substances used to impart a sweet taste to foods or in table-top sweeteners.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about erythritol (E968) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Erythritol (E968) appears in 296 of the 40,000 products on this site (1%).

Protein bars 35 of 426 products
Kombuchas 22 of 96 products
Energy drink without sugar and with artificial sweeteners 20 of 60 products
Energy drinks 17 of 278 products
Ice creams 14 of 321 products
Carbonated fruit soft drink 9 of 45 products

Products containing erythritol (E968)

Showing the 60 most popular of 296.

How the NOVA classification works