Re-evaluation of Erythritol (E 968) as a Food Additive

Why this matters

If you buy or formulate with erythritol, you need to know what the EFSA re-evaluation found. The panel set an acceptable daily intake. That number changes how you should approach exposure assessments.

Background

Erythritol E 968 is a well-known bulking sweetener. It shows up in tabletop sweeteners, low-calorie beverages, baked goods, and chewing gum. It is a polyol, but unlike many polyols, it gets absorbed before reaching the colon. That does not mean it has no gut effects. This re-evaluation focused on exactly that point.

The paper in the EFSA Journal (DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8430) re-evaluates erythritol as a food additive. The panel reviewed production routes, proposed uses, and human data. For formulators, the key output is the ADI.

What the review covered

The expert panel looked at evidence from human intervention studies. Those studies measured blood glucose, insulin, gut hormones, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The hormone panel included cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The panel used this evidence to set a reference point for adverse effects.

The production process was also part of the review. Erythritol comes from fermentation with Moniliella pollinis BC or Moniliella megachiliensis KW3-6, followed by purification and drying. If you audit suppliers, these are the organisms named in the evaluation.

Key findings

The panel concluded that erythritol may cause diarrhea in humans. They set the ADI at 0.5 g per kilogram of body weight per day. The lower bound of the NOAEL range was the same value. That gives you a clear ceiling for intake.

Parameter	Value
Acceptable daily intake	0.5 g/kg body weight/day
NOAEL lower bound	0.5 g/kg body weight
Reference adverse effect	Diarrhea
Fermentation organisms	Moniliella pollinis BC, Moniliella megachiliensis KW3-6
Human study endpoints	Glucose, insulin, CCK, PYY, GLP-1, GI symptoms

The ADI is not a recommended intake. It is a safety reference. You use it to check whether realistic consumption keeps a person under the limit.

For manufacturers

Re-evaluations force you to re-check your exposure estimates. Many products already contain erythritol. Some blends combine it with other polyols. If you replace sugar 1:1, the erythritol dose per serving can be significant.

Run the math for your target population. A 70 kg adult has an ADI of 35 g per day. A 25 kg child has an ADI of 12.5 g per day. That lower body weight changes everything. If your product is aimed at children, verify the serving size against that number.

The panel's point on diarrhea is a practical signal. Gastrointestinal symptoms affect consumer acceptance. They also affect product reputation. If your label encourages more than one serving, your intake model must reflect that.

Formulators should also document the production source. The evaluation names two specific strains. Your supplier audit can confirm whether the active fermentation organism matches these.

FAQ

Does this mean erythritol is no longer approved? No. This paper is a scientific re-evaluation. It sets an ADI and flags a dose-related GI effect. It does not, on its own, change marketing authorizations.

How do I use 0.5 g/kg bw/day in practice? Estimate the erythritol in one serving. Multiply by the number of servings someone might realistically consume. Divide by body weight. Keep the result below 0.5.

Are the gut hormone effects a benefit or a risk? The human studies measured CCK, PYY, and GLP-1 alongside glucose and insulin. The ADI is based on diarrhea, not on hormone changes. Do not build health claims on these results without stronger evidence.

Keep the 0.5 g/kg bw/day figure in your formulation notes. Review usage levels, check serving sizes, and confirm your supplier's production route. The science gives you a clear line to work with.