Origin
E 968 is produced for industrial use with the help of osmophilic fungi. Glucose or sucrose is microbiologically converted in this process. The end product is colorless, sweet-tasting crystals. In trade, erythritol is also known under the names Sukrin or Sukolin. Erythritol is a jack-of-all-trades and is not only used as a sweetener but also as a flavor enhancer, humectant, stabilizer, thickener, filler, and complexing agent.
Usage
E 968 is a designation for erythritol, a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and sugar substitute. Erythritol has a similar sweetness to sugar but contains only about 70% of the calories. It also has the advantage that it is suitable for diabetics because it does not raise blood sugar levels.
E 968 is mainly used in liqueurs, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, ready-to-eat soups, and dairy products. E 968 is generally approved for food use. However, erythritol may not be added as a sweetener to fruit juice drinks.
Erythritol is used as a sweetener in many foods, including candies, beverages, chewing gum, baked goods, and other snacks. It is also used in dental care products and mouthwashes because it is effective against cariogenic bacteria.
To use erythritol, you can use it similarly to sugar in recipes; however, note that it provides less sweetness compared to sugar. Erythritol also has a slight cooling effect in the mouth, which may be desirable in some applications but not in others. It is important to follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging and make adjustments as necessary to achieve the desired taste and texture results.
Risks
The consumption of foods or beverages containing E 968 can be recommended without reservation. The great advantage of E 968 is that the disadvantages of sugar substitutes occur only to a reduced extent. Therefore, after consuming foods containing E 968, the risk of diarrhea and bloating is less likely because erythritol is almost completely absorbed in the small intestine and excreted via the kidneys.