Specimen No. 0210
CautionDerivedsweetenerfood additive
Sorbitol
CAS 50-70-4 · E420 · D-glucitol · glucitol
A sugar alcohol used in sugar-free gum, diabetic foods and toothpaste. Not systemically toxic, but it is incompletely absorbed, so higher intakes reliably cause gas, bloating and osmotic diarrhea — it is a classic FODMAP trigger.
high confidence
Researched July 7, 2026Specimen 0210Sorbitol
Concerns
- Sorbitol is incompletely absorbed in the small intestine and its absorption is dose- and concentration-dependent; malabsorbed sorbitol is fermented by colonic bacteria, so excess intake commonly causes flatulence, abdominal discomfort and osmotic diarrhea (Montalto et al. review of sorbitol malabsorption)
- As a FODMAP polyol, sorbitol can provoke or worsen symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome; reviews note that symptom severity after a sugar/polyol challenge is greater in IBS patients than in healthy controls (Fernandez-Banares, Nutrients 2022 review of carbohydrate maldigestion)
Regulatory flags
- ⚑IARC Class: NL
- ⚑EDC Status: None
- ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS, "excess consumption may have a laxative effect" labeling (21 CFR 184.1835); EU: authorized as E420
- ⚑Evidence Grade: A
Commonly found in
Sugar-free gumSugar-free candyDiabetic foodsToothpasteCough syrups
Sources & references
Last researched: July 7, 2026
Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.
Check another ingredient
Search our database of scored cosmetic, food, and household ingredients — or scan a full product label.
Open the Ingredient Lab