How Humectants Work
By adding humectants, the product remains soft and elastic. When added to confectionery, they can also prevent sugar crystallization. Often, sugar substitutes are used as humectants. In calorie-reduced foods, it is mainly sugar substitutes that are used simultaneously as humectants.
Which Foods Contain Humectants
Since most food products usually contain a water content, humectants can be found in many foods. It can be expected to find the addition of one or more humectants in meat and sausage products, but also in fruit and vegetable preserves, or in jams and jellies. Humectants are generally subject to no restrictions and are allowed for all foods. For example, glycerin is often used as a humectant in food production under the designation E 422. But also the sugar substitute sorbitol (E 420).
Risks from Humectants
To date, no risks are known that arise from consuming foods to which humectants have been added. However, larger amounts of sugar substitutes often cause bloating and diarrhea.