INS 420 is the code for sorbitol
A sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener and to keep products moist. Common in sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, toothpaste and diabetic-marketed foods.
- What it does
- Sweetens it A sweetener
- Also printed as
- Sorbitol syrup · D-glucitol
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 2 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 70 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 420 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 420 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits and cookies | 55% | |
| Sweets and candy | 19% | |
| Edible oils | 6% | |
| Other sweet snacks | 5% | |
| Chocolate | 3% | |
| Everything else | 11% |
Counted from the 70 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 420, 62 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 420?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
Not fully absorbed in the small intestine, so what is left ferments in the colon. Above roughly 10-20 g a day this causes bloating and a laxative effect; Indian labels on foods with more than 10 g per 100 g must carry an excess-consumption warning. It raises blood glucose less than sugar and does not feed tooth decay. It is also a FODMAP, so it is a frequent trigger in irritable bowel syndrome.
Does Zabel mark INS 420 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 420?
INS 420 is the code for sorbitol, a sweetener. A sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener and to keep products moist. Common in sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, toothpaste and diabetic-marketed foods.
Is INS 420 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 420 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 420?
Not fully absorbed in the small intestine, so what is left ferments in the colon. Above roughly 10-20 g a day this causes bloating and a laxative effect; Indian labels on foods with more than 10 g per 100 g must carry an excess-consumption warning. It raises blood glucose less than sugar and does not feed tooth decay. It is also a FODMAP, so it is a frequent trigger in irritable bowel syndrome.
Does Zabel mark INS 420 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 420 printed under?
Packs also print it as Sorbitol syrup and D-glucitol, or as the bare number 420 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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