Erythritol (18-60 Mesh): The Zero-Calorie Natural Sweetener Food and Health Brands Are Choosing

Product Overview

Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol (polyol) found in small amounts in certain fruits including watermelons, pears, and grapes, and in fermented foods such as wine and beer. Commercially, erythritol is produced through the fermentation of glucose or sucrose by specific yeast strains primarily Moniliella pollinis and related fungi yielding a white, crystalline, odorless powder with a clean, pleasant sweetness. Its chemical formula is C4H10O4, its CAS number is 149-32-6, its food additive code is E968, and its INCI name for personal care use is Erythritol.

EZ Elements supplies Erythritol in the 18-60 mesh particle size specification a medium crystal size that dissolves readily in beverages, blends smoothly into baked goods, and provides a pleasant mouthfeel in confectionery without the excessive cooling effect associated with finer powders at high concentrations. Unlike most other polyol sweeteners, erythritol is unique in that approximately 90% of ingested erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged through urine, meaning it provides virtually zero calories (0.2 kcal/g versus 4 kcal/g for sugar), does not significantly raise blood glucose or insulin levels, and does not cause the digestive discomfort commonly associated with other sugar alcohols such as sorbitol or maltitol. This combination of properties makes it the preferred sweetener for keto, low-carb, diabetic-friendly, and clean-label food and beverage formulations across North America.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Zero effective calories approximately 0.2 kcal/g; absorbed and excreted unchanged without being metabolized for energy, making it suitable for calorie-reduced and keto formulations.
  • Non-glycemic does not significantly raise blood glucose or insulin levels; suitable for diabetic-friendly and low-glycemic index food and beverage products.
  • Approximately 70% the sweetness of sucrose with a clean, pleasant taste and no bitter aftertaste the most sugar-like taste profile among common polyol sweeteners.
  • Tooth-friendly does not ferment with oral bacteria to produce acids; approved for use in tooth-friendly and oral health food labeling claims in multiple markets.
  • Non-hygroscopic does not absorb moisture from the environment, preventing caking and extending shelf life in dry food, powder, and confectionery formulations.
  • Heat-stable and non-reactive in Maillard browning reactions provides sweetness without contributing to browning, making it suitable for baked goods where color control is needed.
  • 18-60 mesh particle size providing excellent dissolution, smooth texture, and practical handling across beverage, baking, confectionery, and supplement applications.

Applications

Erythritol 18-60 Mesh is used across five industry categories served by EZ Elements.

Food & Beverages

  • Zero-calorie and reduced-calorie beverages including flavored water, diet soft drinks, energy drinks, iced teas, and ready-to-drink health beverages
  • Keto and low-carb baked goods including cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, and bread where sugar replacement without glycemic impact is required
  • Sugar-free confectionery including hard candy, chocolate, gummy bears, chewing gum, mints, and medicated confections
  • Tabletop sweetener blends commonly combined with stevia or monk fruit extract to provide bulk, balance sweetness intensity, and eliminate aftertaste
  • Diabetic-friendly food products targeting blood sugar management and low-glycemic dietary requirements
  • Dairy and dairy-alternative products including sugar-free yogurt, ice cream, frozen desserts, and flavored milk alternatives
  • Protein bars, meal replacement bars, and sports nutrition products requiring clean sweetness with low glycemic impact
  • Instant beverage powders, electrolyte mixes, and supplement drink formulations where non-hygroscopic behavior is essential for powder stability

Pharmaceutical

  • Sugar-free tablet and chewable tablet excipient providing sweetness, bulk, and pleasant mouthfeel in pediatric and adult oral dosage forms
  • Effervescent tablet formulations where its non-hygroscopic property helps maintain tablet stability in dry form prior to dissolution
  • Sugar-free cough syrups, liquid pharmaceuticals, and oral suspensions where sucrose replacement is needed for diabetic patient compliance
  • Nutraceutical and dietary supplement capsule and powder formulations for keto, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly health products
  • Lozenge and throat drop formulations where tooth-safe sweetness and pleasant mouthfeel are both required

Personal Care

  • Toothpaste and tooth gel formulations erythritol inhibits the adhesion of oral bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, actively supporting dental health beyond simple sugar replacement
  • Mouthwash and oral rinse formulations providing sweetness and mouth-freshening without contributing to dental caries
  • Sugar-free medicated chewing gum and dental care confectionery products with verified tooth-friendly claims
  • Lip balm and lip gloss formulations where it contributes a subtle sweetness, smooth texture, and humectant moisturizing effect on lip tissue
  • Skin care humectant in serums and moisturizers erythritol has demonstrated moisture-retaining properties on the skin surface in cosmetic research

Pet Care

Important note: Erythritol is one of the few polyol sweeteners that is considered safe for dogs at normal dietary levels, unlike xylitol which is highly toxic to dogs. This makes it a viable sweetener option in dog treats and supplements. However, pet food formulators should always verify current regulatory status and veterinary guidance for their specific application and target animal species before use.

  • Dog treats, dental chews, and palatability enhancers in companion animal food and supplement products where a safe, non-xylitol sweetener is required
  • Pet dental care products including dog toothpaste and oral rinse formulations where tooth-friendly sweetening without xylitol toxicity is needed
  • Sugar-free pet nutritional supplement powders and flavored supplement chews for dogs with diabetic or weight management dietary requirements

Industrial Supplies

  • Chemical synthesis intermediate erythritol serves as a starting material for specialty chemical synthesis including erythritol tetranitrate and other derivatives
  • Fermentation research and biotechnology applications as a carbon source and metabolic compound in microbial research
  • Specialty polymer and resin chemistry as a polyol building block in the synthesis of certain bio-based polymer systems

Technical Specifications

PropertySpecification
INCI NameErythritol
CAS No.149-32-6
Chemical FormulaC4H10O4
Food Additive CodeE968
Common NameErythritol, Meso-Erythritol
Particle Size18-60 Mesh (medium crystal; approximately 250 to 1000 microns)
AppearanceWhite, odorless, free-flowing crystalline powder
Assay (Purity)99.0% minimum (food grade)
Caloric ValueApproximately 0.2 kcal/g (effectively zero-calorie for labeling purposes in most markets)
Relative SweetnessApproximately 60 to 70% of sucrose (sugar)
Glycemic Index0 (does not raise blood glucose or insulin)
pH (10% Solution)5.0 to 7.0 (neutral)
SolubilityApproximately 37 g per 100 mL water at 25 degrees C; increases with temperature
HygroscopicityNon-hygroscopic — does not absorb moisture from the environment
Melting Point119 to 123 degrees C
OriginFermentation of glucose/sucrose by Moniliella pollinis or related yeast strains
Regulatory StatusGRAS (FDA); E968 (EU); approved in over 60 countries; tooth-friendly labeling eligible

Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier

EZ Elements supplies food-grade Erythritol 18-60 Mesh with verified purity, consistent particle size, and complete documentation to support food manufacturers, beverage producers, health food brands, pharmaceutical formulators, and personal care companies across Canada and North America.

We supply keto food brands, sugar-free confectionery manufacturers, beverage producers, natural health product companies, and personal care formulators, providing:

  • Full documentation including Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
  • Food-grade specification with minimum 99.0% purity and 18-60 mesh particle size consistency
  • Bulk supply with transparent, competitive pricing per kilogram across all available pack sizes
  • Technical support on use levels, sweetness blending with stevia or monk fruit, formulation compatibility, and application-specific guidance

Safety & Storage Guidelines

  • Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.
  • Keep containers tightly sealed after use although erythritol is non-hygroscopic, sealing prevents contamination and maintains product quality.
  • Erythritol is generally recognized as safe; however, very high single-dose consumption (above 50g) may cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals recommend normal dietary use levels in finished products.
  • Important pet safety note: while erythritol is considered safe for dogs at dietary levels, it should not be confused with xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Always clearly identify and label sugar alcohol ingredients in pet product formulations.
  • Shelf life is typically 2 to 3 years from manufacture date when stored correctly in sealed, cool, dry conditions.

Complete handling, first aid, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which industries use Erythritol 18-60 Mesh?

Erythritol 18-60 Mesh is used across five industries: Food and Beverages (primary application — zero-calorie sweetener in keto foods, sugar-free beverages, confectionery, diabetic products, and tabletop sweeteners), Pharmaceutical (sugar-free tablet excipient, oral suspension sweetener, lozenges, and nutraceutical supplements), Personal Care (toothpaste, mouthwash, oral care products, lip balm, and cosmetic humectant), Pet Care (safe non-xylitol sweetener in dog treats and pet dental care topical or food use where verified safe), and Industrial (chemical synthesis intermediate and fermentation research applications).

Q2: How does erythritol compare to other sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol?

Erythritol is significantly different from other common sugar alcohols in two important ways. First, approximately 90% of ingested erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted in urine before it reaches the large intestine this is why erythritol causes dramatically less digestive discomfort than sorbitol or maltitol, which are fermented by colonic bacteria and cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea at moderate consumption levels. Second, erythritol provides virtually zero calories and has a glycemic index of zero, making it far superior to xylitol (2.4 kcal/g, GI of 7) and sorbitol (2.6 kcal/g, GI of 9) for calorie-reduced and diabetic-friendly formulations. The primary trade-off is sweetness intensity erythritol is approximately 70% as sweet as sugar, which is why it is frequently blended with high-intensity natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.

Q3: What does 18-60 mesh mean and why does the particle size matter?

Mesh size refers to the particle size of the crystalline erythritol powder, measured by the number of openings per linear inch in a standard testing sieve. The 18-60 mesh specification means particles pass through an 18-mesh sieve (approximately 1000 microns) but are retained on a 60-mesh sieve (approximately 250 microns), creating a medium crystal size. This particle size range is specifically suited for applications requiring good dissolution in beverages and sauces, smooth blending in baked goods and dry mixes, manageable handling in production, and reduced cooling sensation compared to ultra-fine powders. Finer mesh sizes dissolve faster but can intensify the characteristic cooling effect of erythritol; coarser sizes may feel gritty in certain applications.

Q4: Can erythritol be used in keto baking as a direct 1-to-1 sugar replacement?

Erythritol can replace sugar by volume in most keto baking recipes, but there are important differences to account for. Since erythritol is approximately 70% as sweet as sugar, recipes may need to be adjusted upward by approximately 30% more erythritol to match the sweetness of sugar. Erythritol does not caramelize or participate in Maillard browning reactions the way sugar does, so baked goods may be lighter in color than sugar-based equivalents. It can crystallize in cold applications such as chilled custards and ice cream, creating a slightly grainy texture this can be managed by combining with a small amount of a non-crystallizing sweetener like allulose. For hot baked goods such as cookies and cakes, erythritol performs very well and is the most widely used keto baking sweetener available.

Q5: Is erythritol safe for dogs in pet food and treat formulations?

Based on current veterinary and toxicological research, erythritol is not known to be toxic to dogs at dietary levels, which distinguishes it from xylitol a sugar alcohol that causes severe hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs even at small doses. This makes erythritol one of the few polyol sweeteners that can be considered for use in dog-safe applications such as dental chews and flavored supplements. However, pet food formulators should stay current with evolving regulatory guidance, consult veterinary toxicology expertise for their specific product, and clearly differentiate erythritol from xylitol in all product labeling and manufacturing documentation to prevent dangerous ingredient substitution errors.

Q6: Where can I buy Erythritol 18-60 Mesh in bulk in Canada?

Erythritol 18-60 Mesh is available for bulk purchase directly from EZ Elements, with supply options for keto food brands, sugar-free confectionery manufacturers, beverage producers, pharmaceutical formulators, and personal care companies across Canada and North America. Contact our team for current pricing, documentation, and product samples.

Related Ingredients

The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly used alongside Erythritol in food, beverage, and personal care formulations:

  • Citric Acid (Anhydrous)  Pairs with erythritol in sugar-free beverage, confectionery, and effervescent formulations to add tartness and balance sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of zero-sugar products.
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Food Grade Antioxidant and acidulant used alongside erythritol in sugar-free beverages and health food products; combined with erythritol and citric acid in effervescent tablet and powder drink formulations.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)  Leavening agent for keto baked goods formulated with erythritol; also used in effervescent tablet formulations alongside erythritol as the sweetener and citric acid as the acid component.

Order or Enquire

Looking to buy Erythritol 18-60 Mesh in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and pet care applications. We supply brands, manufacturers, and formulators across Canada and North America. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next project.

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