What is E422?
Glycerin or glycerol (E422) is a humectant, solvent and texture aid used in specified foods. Goodnessly rates E422 Safe, with purity specifications and use conditions still applying.
Glycerin or glycerol is used in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Glycerin or glycerol?
Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a polyol used for its moisture-holding, solvent and texture properties. In food, E422 is used under defined specifications and conditions.
What's it used for?
- Holding moisture
- Supporting texture and mouthfeel
- Acting as a solvent or carrier
- Helping maintain product consistency
Where you'll find E422 on the shelf
It can occur in confectionery, bakery, fillings, coatings, beverages and other foods where moisture and texture control are useful.
Is E422 permitted? What the regulators say
E422 is permitted in the three systems checked, with food-category permissions, manufacturing specifications and good manufacturing practice applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ Schedule 15 includes additive 422 glycerol/glycerin with category-specific permissions and levels. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | E422 glycerol is authorised in the EU for specified uses; Regulation (EU) 2023/1329 updated its EU specification, including impurity controls. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA 21 CFR 182.1320 affirms glycerin as GRAS when used according to good manufacturing practice; 21 CFR 172.866 also covers specified synthetic glycerin. |
Goodnessly rates E422 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- EFSA’s 2017 re-evaluation did not establish a numerical ADI for glycerol.
- EFSA’s 2022 follow-up addressed impurities and supported tighter specifications for toxic elements and acrolein; it found no health concern from free 3-MCPD at the specification limit assessed.
- A further EFSA assessment of acute exposure from beverages was under preparation in the latest check, so no newer final ADI is stated here.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People checking humectants and texture aids
- People with dietary advice that requires attention to polyols or product formulation
- People comparing moisture-control ingredients across packaged foods
Goodnessly rates E422 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Glycerin
- Glycerol
- 422 or E422
- Humectant (422)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E422?
E422 is glycerin, also called glycerol, a food additive used for moisture, texture and formulation functions.
Is E422 permitted?
E422 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU, and glycerin is recognised as GRAS for US food use under good manufacturing practice.
Why is glycerin rated Safe?
Goodnessly rates E422 Safe within its rating system, while product category, purity specifications and the amount used still matter.
How does Goodnessly rate E422?
Goodnessly rates E422 (glycerin or glycerol) as Safe.
Don't decode labels by hand
Scan any product with the Goodnessly app to see its full additive breakdown and understand the label at a glance.
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