E422 - Glycerol
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E422, glycerol, keeps food moist. It can come from plant oil or animal fat.
Cereal bars, icings and soft dried fruit stay soft because of it. Most glycerol today is a by-product of biodiesel made from plant oil, but the label does not say so, and Daat does not assume.
How common is it? 0.7% of the products we checked, 121 in all, led by cakes, biscuits and pastries and chocolate and sweets.
E422 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Glycerol |
| Also listed as | glycerine |
| Function | Humectant |
| Origin | Plant or animal - not stated on the label |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Depends on the source / Depends on the source |
Is E422 vegan?
You cannot tell from the label. E422 can come from a plant or an animal source; only a vegan certification or the manufacturer can settle it.