Reviewed by Jessie, BSc Biomedical Science · Formulation Lead, Purest Kids
Why this question comes up
Informed parents reading supplement ingredient lists will notice erythritol and want to understand what they are giving their child. That is the right instinct — and this article answers the question directly.
What erythritol is
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in small amounts in some fruits and fermented foods. For commercial use, it is produced through fermentation from glucose derived from corn starch. It is about 60–70% as sweet as table sugar with approximately 0.2 calories per gram. Because erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine rather than metabolised by gut bacteria, it does not cause the bloating associated with some other sugar alcohols at moderate doses.
Safety in children
Erythritol has GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status in the United States and is approved for use in foods in the EU. A 2023 observational study raised questions about a possible association between high blood erythritol levels and cardiovascular risk — but that study measured endogenously produced erythritol in blood, not dietary intake, and the authors noted findings required further investigation. It does not provide a basis for concern about the small amounts present in children's supplements.
How Purest Kids uses it
Purest Kids Omega-3 contains erythritol as part of the flavour system — it contributes to the mango taste without adding sugar. The amount per serving is small. It is listed on the ingredient label because full disclosure is non-negotiable, not because the quantity used warrants concern.
Omega-3 Mango Burstlets — full ingredient list, zero added sugar →
References
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives. "Statement on the safety of erythritol as a food additive." EFSA Journal, 2015.
- Witkowski M, et al. "The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk." Nature Medicine, 2023.