FDA Status
GRAS
Sweetener · CAS 149-32-6 · EU E968
Erythritol
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
3.0 / 5
Composite safety Mixed Evidence
Score 3 of 5
Erythritol: 3/5 (Mixed Evidence)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Erythritol is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. It is more widely-used than most tracked additives.
- 75th percentile by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Erythritol is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. It is more widely-used than most tracked additives (75th percentile by tracked product count).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- GRAS
- FDA status
- 75th pctile
- by product prevalence
- 0
- state regulations
Erythritol (E968), CAS 149-32-6, is a sweetener additive holding a composite safety score of 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as GRAS, while the European Union lists it as Approved. This ingredient appears in approximately 208 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Keto products, protein bars, beverages.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Erythritol to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Erythritol, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2010-07-09. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E968 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 149-32-6 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Sweetener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 208 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Approved
E968
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Erythritol's 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA classifies Erythritol as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), meaning qualified experts consider it safe under intended conditions of use.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Erythritol. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Erythritol compares
Where a safety score of 3/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Erythritol highlighted)
25 of 4,509 scored ingredients (0.6%) share a safety score of 3/5.
What is Erythritol?
Sugar alcohol with nearly zero calories.
Health Concerns
- 2023 study linked high blood levels to cardiovascular events. FDA considers safe.
Common Uses
Keto products, protein bars, beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erythritol safe to consume?
Erythritol has a safety score of 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). It is approved by the FDA for use in food. As with all food additives, moderation is advisable.
What is Erythritol used for in food?
Erythritol is commonly used as: Keto products, protein bars, beverages. It belongs to the Sweetener category of food additives.
Is Erythritol banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Erythritol. However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Erythritol?
The FDA classifies Erythritol as "GRAS", while the EU status is "Approved" (E968). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Erythritol?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Erythritol: 2023 study linked high blood levels to cardiovascular events. FDA considers safe.. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Erythritol calculated?
The safety score of 3/5 for Erythritol is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Sweetener Ingredients
What to do about Erythritol
Use the regulatory picture, not a single score, to decide.
- Check the FDA status (GRAS) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.