Back to catalogSafety
E959SweetenerLow concern
Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone
In plain words
The short version
A citrus-peel-derived intense sweetener with strong taste-masking effects — common in chewables and pharmaceuticals.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
EFSA (2022) set an ADI of 20 mg/kg body weight per day; the earlier ADI of 5 mg/kg had been set by the SCF in 1989. JECFA (2026) set a temporary ADI of 0–3.8 mg/kg body weight per day, pending a reproductive toxicity study. Considered safe; the citrus-peel origin gives it longer historical dietary exposure than fully synthetic sweeteners.
The detail
Produced by catalytic hydrogenation of neohesperidin, a flavanone glycoside abundant in bitter-orange (Citrus aurantium) peels. The hydrogenation reverses the bitter-to-sweet transformation. Developed in the 1960s.
About 1500–1800× sweeter than sucrose, with a slow lingering finish reminiscent of liquorice. The combination of intense sweetness and bitter-masking makes it valuable in chewing gum, supplement coatings, pharmaceutical syrups, and as a flavor enhancer at sub-sweet doses (where it amplifies fruit, mint, and citrus notes).
Pale yellow crystalline powder. Moderately soluble in water (more soluble in alkaline media). Heat- and pH-stable across the food range.
Permitted in the EU. Not approved as a sweetener in the US (where it has GRAS status as a flavor modifier only).
Sources
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone (E 959) as a food additive (EFSA Journal 2022;20(11):7595) — European Food Safety Authority, 2022. EFSA ADI of 20 mg/kg bw per day (replacing SCF 5 mg/kg)
- JECFA — Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (INS 959), evaluation 2026 (102nd meeting) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (WHO), 2026. JECFA temporary ADI 0–3.8 mg/kg bw per day
- FDA — Substances Added to Food inventory: Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. US: listed as flavoring agent (FEMA GRAS), not as sweetener
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.