YenzoWhat is E422 (glycerol)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists glycerol (INS 422) with the functions thickener and humectant.
E422Glycerol
E422 is glycerol. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists it with two functions: thickener and humectant.
- Code
- E422 · INS 422
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E422 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, humectant (422), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
humectant (422)humectant 422E422INS 422On Vietnamese labels: Glycerol
Questions about glycerol
Is glycerol harmful?
EFSA has looked at glycerol (E 422) twice. In 2017, in its re-evaluation as a food additive, it concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI and no safety concern at the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses. In 2026, assessing a single serving of beverages, it derived an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 125 mg/kg body weight and concluded that acute exposure from one serving of slush ice drinks (250 mL for children, 500 mL for other groups) would exceed the ARfD for all population groups.
Is INS 422 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Glycerol (INS 422) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have E422?
In 2017 EFSA noted that infants and toddlers can reach the lowest dose of glycerol with a therapeutic effect (125 mg/kg body weight per hour) by drinking less than one 330 mL can of a flavoured drink. In 2026 EFSA concluded that one 250 mL serving of slush ice drink would exceed the acute reference dose (ARfD) of 125 mg/kg body weight for children, as for all other population groups. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other humectants
E400Alginic acidvery lowE401Sodium alginatevery lowE420Sorbitolvery lowE421Mannitolvery lowE450DiphosphateslowE451Triphosphateslow
See all humectants →Found in these products
Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e422)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2026). Safety of acute exposure to the food additive glycerol (E 422) from beverages
- EFSA Journal (2017). Re-evaluation of glycerol (E 422) as a food additive