What Is Sorbitol?

FDA regulations at 21 CFR 184.1835 describe sorbitol as a hexahydric alcohol, differing from mannitol principally in optical rotation, produced by electrolytic reduction or catalytic hydrogenation of sugar solutions containing glucose or fructose. They say current good manufacturing practice results in maximum levels of 99 percent in hard candy and cough drops, 98 percent in soft candy, 75 percent in chewing gum, 30 percent in baked goods and nonstandardized jams and jellies, 17 percent in frozen dairy desserts and 12 percent in all other foods, and that the labeling of food whose reasonably foreseeable consumption may result in a daily intake of 50 grams of sorbitol must bear a required statement.

A 2025 review in Nutrients says there is no official acceptable daily intake and sorbitol is generally recognized as safe, but that excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal issues including bloating, gas and diarrhea. It explains that because sorbitol is poorly absorbed, a portion remains in the intestines, where gut bacteria can ferment it into gas or it can retain water, leading to a laxative effect. A 2025 study in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology notes that in earlier fasting challenge tests, 10 grams of inulin or sorbitol produced fermentation levels similar to 25 grams of lactose or fructose.