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Last reviewed July 16, 2026

Erythritol (E968)

Erythritol is a sweetener grown by yeast on plant sugar. Unlike its milk-derived cousin lactitol, its name hides nothing.

Where it hides

  • Low-sugar and keto foods
  • Sugar-free sweets and drinks
  • Sweetener blends (with stevia)
  • Baked goods

What it is

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten low-calorie and keto foods. It is grown, not extracted from an animal:

Primary source 01 / 01

It is synthesized from corn using enzymes and fermentation.

Wikipedia encyclopedia entry Erythritol, 2025

Fermented from plants

The starch, usually corn, is broken down to glucose and fermented by yeast into erythritol, so it is vegan. It is often paired with stevia or monk fruit in tabletop sweeteners, and unlike lactitol, another sugar alcohol, it carries no dairy origin.

Frequently asked

Is E968 vegan?

Yes. E968 is erythritol, made by fermenting plant sugar, so it is vegan.

Is erythritol the same as lactitol?

No. Both are sugar alcohols, but erythritol is fermented from plant sugar and is vegan, while lactitol is made from milk-derived lactose and is not.

The sources

What each verdict rests on. Read them yourself.

  • Erythritol · Wikipedia, 2025 · encyclopedia overview

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