E422HumectantThickener
What Is E422? Glycerol and Where It Is Used
Also known as: Glycerine, Glycerin
E422 is the additive number of glycerol, also called glycerine, a humectant that keeps products moist and slows drying out. It is common in cakes, bars, chewing gum and sweets.
- In the Besin database
- 370 products
- About 3.2 in every 100 products
- Source
- Plant or animal
- Acceptable daily intake (ADI)
- No numerical value set
What does E422 do?
Because it holds water, it keeps cakes and protein bars soft and chewing gum flexible. It tastes slightly sweet and is also used as a solvent for flavourings.
How is it made?
Obtained as a by-product when vegetable or animal fats are split during soap or biodiesel production; it can also be made by chemical synthesis.
Vegan and halal: The label usually does not say the source. People who eat vegan, vegetarian or halal should look for the product's certificate or ask the manufacturer.
Which products contain E422?
370 of the 11,663 packaged products in the Besin database list E422 (Glycerol) in their ingredients. The categories where it appears most often:
- Mini Cakes77 products
- Chocolate Bars25 products
- Coated and Stick Biscuits21 products
- Fruit-Flavoured Gums18 products
- Protein Bars16 products
- Loaf and Large Cakes15 products
Numbers as of the database snapshot of October 18, 2026.
Official evaluation
EFSA re-evaluated glycerol in 2017 and concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI and no safety concern at the reported uses. It recommended changing the purity criteria for impurities that depend on the production method; a 2022 follow-up recommended lower limits for heavy metals.
Food additives are regulated by the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693). The ADI is the amount estimated to be safe to take every day over a lifetime, given per kilogram of body weight.
Frequently asked questions
Are glycerine and glycerol the same?
Yes. Glycerol is the chemical name and glycerine the everyday one; labels may show either as E422.
Is E422 from animals?
It can be. Glycerol can come from vegetable or animal fats. If the label does not say the source, look for a vegan or halal certificate or ask the manufacturer.
Which products contain E422 most often?
In the Besin database it appears most often in mini cakes, chocolate bars, coated biscuits, chewing gums and protein bars.
Related additives
Sources
- EFSA (2017): Re-evaluation of glycerol (E422)
- the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693)
Last reviewed: . This page is for information only and is not medical advice. To report a mistake, write to iletisim@besin.app.