Is Erythritol (E968) Halal?

The short answer

Erythritol is made by fermenting glucose from plants. It has no animal source, and it is not the kind of alcohol that makes people drunk. So erythritol is halal.

Why is erythritol called a "sugar alcohol"?

The name worries many people. However, "sugar alcohol" is a term from chemistry. It describes a group of sweeteners that includes sorbitol and xylitol. It does not mean drinking alcohol.

Erythritol cannot make anyone drunk. It is not khamr, the Arabic word for wine and other intoxicating drinks.

How is erythritol made?

Factories make erythritol by fermenting glucose, which usually comes from corn. This is a food fermentation, like the ones used to make yogurt or bread. No animal ingredients are involved. On food labels in some countries, erythritol is listed as E968.

Where is erythritol used?

Erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar but has almost no calories. It is common in sugar-free drinks, "keto" snacks, sugar-free gum and sweetener blends.

Common questions

Is erythritol halal?

Yes. It is a sugar alcohol made by fermenting plant glucose, with no animal ingredients.

Does erythritol contain alcohol?

No, it does not contain drinking alcohol. "Sugar alcohol" describes its chemistry, not ethanol, which is the alcohol in wine and beer.

Is erythritol the same as xylitol?

No, but both are sugar alcohols, and neither one is drinking alcohol. Both are generally considered halal when they are made from plants.