Is e421 vegan?

E421 is the European food additive code for mannitol, a sugar alcohol used primarily as a sweetener, texturizer, and anti-caking agent. While it occurs naturally in various plants, fungi, and marine algae, commercial mannitol is manufactured industrially. Most food-grade E421 is produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of plant-derived sugars, such as glucose and fructose extracted from corn or wheat starch. It can also be produced through the microbial fermentation of sugars using specific bacterial or yeast strains.

This additive is commonly listed on the labels of sugar-free chewing gum, breath mints, throat lozenges, confectioneries, baked goods, and chewable pharmaceutical tablets.

E421 is vegan because it is derived exclusively from plant materials, mineral catalysts, or microbial processes. No animal tissues, animal derivatives, or animal-based processing aids are used at any stage of its commercial production.