Digestoa
Additive · Humectant

Glycerol (E422)

Glycerol (E422) is a humectant that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.

Digestoa riskNo known risk
TypeHumectant
Found insugar-free sweets, chewing gum and soft, moist baked goods

What is Glycerol?

Glycerol (E422) is a humectant — used to keep food soft and retain moisture.

Is Glycerol bad for you?

Glycerol is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.

What foods contain Glycerol?

Sugar-free sweets, chewing gum and soft, moist baked goods.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to avoid Glycerol. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.

Safer swaps

Choose less-processed products with short, recognisable ingredient lists.

Frequently asked questions

Is E422 the same as Glycerol?
Yes — E422 is the international additive (E-number) code for Glycerol.
Is Glycerol bad for you?
Digestoa rates Glycerol (E422) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Glycerol?
No significant side effects are associated with Glycerol at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Glycerol?
Sugar-free sweets, chewing gum and soft, moist baked goods.
How can I avoid Glycerol?
Check the ingredients list for "Glycerol" or "E422", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.