INS 420 is sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that tastes about 60 percent as sweet as sugar but provides fewer calories and does not raise blood sugar as sharply. On Indian packs it shows up in sugar-free chewing gum, mints, diabetic-friendly candy, and some toothpaste. It is naturally present in apples, pears, and stone fruits. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories.
INS 420 is sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that tastes about 60 percent as sweet as sugar but provides fewer calories and does not raise blood sugar as sharply. On Indian packs it shows up in sugar-free chewing gum, mints, diabetic-friendly candy, and some toothpaste. It is naturally present in apples, pears, and stone fruits.
Brands use it because sorbitol delivers sweetness and bulk to sugar-free or reduced-sugar products without spiking blood glucose. It also acts as a humectant (keeps things moist), which is why it shows up in chewing gum and soft mints that need to stay pliable. The mandatory 'excessive consumption may cause laxative effect' label declaration is the trade-off.
INS 420 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
Sorbitol is produced by hydrogenation of glucose syrup from corn or wheat starch. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 as a sweetener and humectant for specified food categories with category-specific limits. FSSAI requires the label declaration 'Excess consumption may have laxative effect' on products containing sorbitol above the threshold dose.
JECFA: ADI 'not specified' for sorbitol, established at 26th JECFA (1982). 'Not specified' is JECFA's safest classification. Daily intake above roughly 50 g (varies by individual) can cause loose stools because unabsorbed sorbitol pulls water into the intestine; this is the basis for the FSSAI mandatory label declaration.
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 420 is also called:
Last verified: 2026-04-30.
This page covers INS 420 one additive at a time. To check a full packet's ingredient list against the same FSSAI / JECFA / EFSA-cited dataset, use the Indian Food Ingredient Checker - paste the whole list and get a per-item verdict plus a composite tone (clear / watch / flag / incomplete).