What is E957?
A sweet-tasting protein used as a sweetener in specified food applications, where the food category, specifications and use conditions permit it. Goodnessly rates E957 Safe, while food-category permissions and regulator conditions still apply.
A sweet-tasting protein used as a sweetener in specified food applications, where the food category, specifications and use conditions permit it. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Thaumatin?
Thaumatin is A sweet-tasting protein used as a sweetener in specified food applications, where the food category, specifications and use conditions permit it. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Providing sweetness in specified formulations
- Supporting flavour profiles at permitted use levels
- Working as a protein-based sweetener
- Working within category-specific use conditions
Where you'll find E957 on the shelf
You may see E957 in foods where a high-intensity sweetener function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E957 permitted? What the regulators say
Thaumatin is listed in the checked AU/NZ and EU frameworks with conditions. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 957 for specified food uses in the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes E957 for specified categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA’s GRAS Notice Inventory includes thaumatin in GRAS Notice 738 with no questions. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E957 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- The checked primary sources frame E957 through permitted uses, specifications and category conditions rather than a new change notice for this draft. Re-check the current sources when a product or formulation is unusual.
- Regulatory permissions can change; confirm the primary source when a product, recipe or use is unusual.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E957 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Thaumatin
- 957
- E957
- Sweetener (957)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E957?
E957 is Thaumatin, A sweet-tasting protein used as a sweetener in specified food applications, where the food category, specifications and use conditions permit it.
Is E957 permitted?
E957 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA’s GRAS Notice Inventory includes thaumatin in GRAS Notice 738 with no questions.
What should I know about thaumatin?
The checked primary sources frame E957 through permitted uses, specifications and category conditions rather than a new change notice for this draft. Re-check the current sources when a product or formulation is unusual.
How does Goodnessly rate E957?
Goodnessly rates E957 (Thaumatin) as Safe within its rating system.
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