It's All About Diet (Part 5 - FODMAP [Food Additives & FODMAPs])

Those who are following a low-FODMAP diet should be aware of the E numbers/food additive numbers as some of these can irritate the gut.

1. E100-199 = colourings 
2. E200-299 = preservatives 
3. E300-399 = antioxidants & acidity regulators 
4. E400-499 = thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers 
5. E500-599 = acidity regulators & anti-caking agents 
6. E600-699 = flavour enhancers 
7. E700-799 = antibiotics 
8. E900-999 = glazing agents, gases & sweeteners 
9. E1000-1599 = additional additives 

* the list above is taken from HERE

Sugar polyols are widely used as sweeteners in food. They are:

1. Sorbitol (E420 or 420)

• This is often used in diet drinks, ice-cream, mints, cough syrups and sugar-free chewing gums. This is also found in mouthwashes and toothpastes.
• Sorbitol is also used as a laxative or enema because of its 'laxative effects'.

2. Mannitol (E421 or 421)

• This is used as a coating for hard candies, dried fruits and chewing gums. Mannitol is also added to chewable tablets.

3. Isomalt (E953 or 953)

• This is used in hard-boiled candies and sugar sculpted cakes. It is mainly used as edible decorations in cake decorating.

4. Maltitol(E965 or 965)

• This is used in sugar-free hard candies, chewing gums, chocolates, baked goods and ice-cream.

5. Lactitol (E966 or 966)

• This is used in sugar-free candies, cookies/biscuits, chocolate and ice-cream. This is also an ingredient in the drug called Adderall. 

6. Xylitol (E967 or 967)

• This is used in drugs and dietary supplements. It is also used in confectionaries, toothpastes and chewing gums. 

When sugar polyols are eaten in a large amount, it can cause some gut irritation even for people without IBS. What more for people with sensitive guts. Polyols cause extra water to be dragged into the intestines, thus triggering soft/liquid stools or can result in diarhoea. 

To read more about this, click on FODMAP BLOG.