E-number database
Polyol sweeteners
Sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol and cousins are Halal sugar alcohols—not ethanol. Lactitol is dairy-derived.
- E421 INS 421 Polyols (mannitol, isomalt, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, erythritol) Halal Mannitol, isomalt, maltitol, xylitol, and erythritol are hydrogenated plant sugars or fermentation polyols. Lactitol is from lactose. plantHalal
- E420 INS 420 Sorbitol (E420) Halal Sorbitol (E420) is hydrogenated from plant glucose. The word alcohol in sugar alcohol is chemistry, not an intoxicant — which is why people ask. plantHalal
How they differ
Polyols, also called sugar alcohols, are sweeteners and bulking agents in sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, chocolate and toothpaste: sorbitol (E420), mannitol (E421), isomalt (E953), maltitol (E965), lactitol (E966), xylitol (E967) and erythritol (E968). Most are made by hydrogenating plant sugars; erythritol is fermented.
The word “alcohol” in “sugar alcohol” is a chemistry term for a type of molecule. Polyols are not ethanol, they do not intoxicate, and they are Halal. Lactitol is made from milk sugar, which matters for dairy allergies but not for the Halal answer.
On the label
- “Sweetener (maltitol)” or “sugar alcohols” on a nutrition panel is this family.
- Sugar-free sweets using polyols can still contain gelatin; check for it.
- “Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects” is a health notice, not a Halal warning.
Frequently asked questions
Are sugar alcohols Halal?
Yes. They are not ethanol and do not intoxicate; the name is a chemistry term.
Is erythritol Halal?
Yes. It is made by fermenting glucose and contains no alcohol in the drinking sense.