What is E953?
Isomalt (E953) is a sugar alcohol sweetener used in confectionery and other foods. Goodnessly rates E953 Safe, while larger amounts may be uncomfortable for some people.
Isomalt is used in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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What is Isomalt?
Isomalt is a sugar alcohol, also called hydrogenated isomaltulose, used mainly for sweetness, bulk and texture.
What's it used for?
- Sweetening foods
- Providing bulk in reduced-sugar formulations
- Supporting confectionery texture
- Replacing some sucrose functions
Where you'll find E953 on the shelf
It is commonly associated with sugar-free confectionery, chewing gum, baked goods and other reduced-sugar formulations.
Is E953 permitted? What the regulators say
E953 is authorised or permitted in the three systems checked, with food-category, labelling and good manufacturing practice conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ Schedule 15 includes additive 953 isomalt, with category-specific permissions and levels applying. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | E953 isomalt is on the EU Union list for specified food categories and conditions. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA 21 CFR 101.80 lists isomalt among eligible noncariogenic carbohydrate sweeteners for specified health-claim conditions; food use and labelling still depend on the applicable FDA rules. |
Goodnessly rates E953 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- JECFA assigned isomalt an ADI of “not specified” in 1985, meaning a numerical ADI was not considered necessary when used according to good manufacturing practice.
- EFSA’s re-evaluation of isomalt was not finalised in the latest check; no newer EFSA numerical ADI is stated here.
- Like other sugar alcohols, larger amounts may be associated with digestive discomfort for some people; individual tolerance varies.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People who notice digestive effects from sugar alcohols
- People comparing reduced-sugar confectionery
- People checking total sweetener intake and the rest of the ingredient list
Goodnessly rates E953 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Isomalt
- Hydrogenated isomaltulose
- 953 or E953
- Sweetener (953)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E953?
E953 is isomalt, a sugar alcohol sweetener used for sweetness, bulk and texture in specified foods.
Is E953 permitted?
E953 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA rules also recognise isomalt as a noncariogenic carbohydrate sweetener for specified labelling claims.
Why is isomalt rated Safe?
Goodnessly rates E953 Safe within its rating system, while serving size, individual tolerance and the overall formulation still matter.
How does Goodnessly rate E953?
Goodnessly rates E953 (isomalt) as Safe.
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