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The additive glycerine is found in many foods such as cookies and meat products. It is also known by the chemical abbreviation E422.
Glycerine in food: It is used in these products
Glycerin (E422) is a frequently used alcohol in food, which is also found in cosmetic products and medicine as well as in wine production and antifreeze. It has the property of binding water and can therefore retain moisture in food.
- Glycerine is used in the production of many luxury foods. These include, for example, products containing chocolate such as bars, cookies or cake icings.
- Wine gums also contain glycerine, as does chewing gum.
- E422 is also used in the production of meat products;
- Processed fruit such as dates can also be coated with glycerine.
- In addition, glycerine is often found in protein and energy bars, sports and soft drinks, icing and ice cream. There it improves the texture, regulates the viscosity, rounds off the taste and extends the shelf life.
- In addition to its function as a humectant, glycerine is also used as a sweetener due to its moderate sweetness (around 60% of the sweetening power of household sugar); it provides around 4.3 kcal per gram.
Possible risks of glycerine in food
In Germany, pure glycerine is considered a harmless additive for which there is no maximum quantity restriction. This also applies to the USA, for example.
- International authorities – including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Joint Expert Committee of WHO/FAO (JECFA) and the US FDA – have classified glycerine as safe for years; a numerical “ADI” upper limit is therefore not necessary.
- Health complaints (e.g. headaches, nausea, low blood sugar) only occur at relatively high doses. According to a risk assessment by the British Food Standards Agency, an intake of around 1 g of glycerine per kg of body weight can be problematic.
- Toddlers can exceed this threshold with just one large slush ice. The FSA therefore recommends that slush drinks with glycerine should not be sold to children under the age of four and advises limiting the amount for older children.
- Further points of criticism lie in the production process: controversial palm oil is used for glycerine production.
- In addition, there is animal, vegetable and artificially produced glycerine. This means that the additive and the products treated with it are not always vegan.
- E422 is not permitted for organic foods that are certified according to the strict guidelines of Bioland, Demeter or Naturland.
