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E965SweetenerLow concern
Maltitol
In plain words
The short version
A sugar alcohol about 90% as sweet as sucrose — common in sugar-free chocolate and confectionery.
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
No ADI specified. Considered safe but has the strongest osmotic laxative effect of common polyols — doses above 30–40 g typically cause GI upset. EU laxative warning required above defined levels. Slower blood-glucose response than sucrose.
The detail
Produced by catalytic hydrogenation of maltose, itself derived from starch hydrolysis. Developed in Japan in the 1960s as a sugar replacement for diabetic foods.
The dominant sugar alcohol in sugar-free chocolate because it closely mimics sucrose's mouthfeel and crystallization behavior. Also in candies, ice cream, chewing gum, and baked goods. About 90% the sweetness of sucrose with about half the calories (~2.1 kcal/g).
White crystalline powder, very soluble in water. More stable to browning and acid than sucrose. Negative heat of dissolution gives a mild cooling sensation.
Permitted globally. Laxative warning required above defined levels in the EU.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Maltitol (INS 965(i)), evaluation 1993 — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1993. ADI not specified
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, Annex III point 2.4 — EUR-Lex, Official Journal of the European Union, 2011. EU laxative warning above 10% added polyols
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.