What is E965?

Complete guide to understanding E965 (Maltitol)

The Quick Answer

E965 is Maltitol, a sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener.

It’s about 90% as sweet as sugar but contains only half the calories.

It’s used in sugar-free and diabetic-friendly foods, approved by major food regulators worldwide, and considered safe for regular consumption.

📌 Quick Facts

Category: Sugar Alcohol / Polyol (sweetener)
Found in: Sugar-free chocolate, candies, baked goods, ice cream, diabetic products
Safety: Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)
Approved by: FDA, EFSA (EU), UK FSA, JECFA, Australia & New Zealand

What Exactly Is It?

E965 is made from maltose (malt sugar) through chemical hydrogenation.

Maltose, derived from starch in corn or wheat, is chemically converted into maltitol—a sugar alcohol that your body metabolizes differently than regular sugar.

It comes in two forms: E965i (crystalline powder, white) and E965ii (syrup, colorless liquid).

In chemical terms, it’s a disaccharide polyol, but you can simply think of it as “a modified sugar designed to have fewer calories and less impact on blood sugar.”

Where You’ll Find It

E965 appears in:

• Sugar-free chocolate bars
• Confectionery and candies
• Ice cream (especially low-calorie versions)
• Baked goods (cookies, cakes, pastries)
• Chewing gum
• Diabetic and low-calorie desserts
• Some beverages

If you eat sugar-free products, you’ve almost certainly consumed E965. It’s one of the most common sugar alcohols in modern food manufacturing.

💡 Pro Tip: Look for “E965” or “Maltitol” on the ingredient list of sugar-free foods. You’ll find it in most mainstream sugar-free products available in supermarkets.

Why Do Food Companies Use It?

E965 does several important jobs:

1. Reduces Calories: Maltitol has only 2.1 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram for sugar—reducing calories by 50%.

2. Improves Blood Sugar Control: It has a low glycemic index (36 for powder, 52 for syrup) compared to sugar (68), making it suitable for people with diabetes.

3. Protects Teeth: Unlike sugar, maltitol is not metabolized by mouth bacteria to produce acid, so it doesn’t cause tooth decay.

4. Improves Texture: It acts as a humectant and prevents crystallization, keeping baked goods and confectionery fresher longer.

5. Tastes Like Sugar: At 75-90% the sweetness of sugar with a very similar taste and minimal aftertaste, it can directly replace sugar in recipes.

Is It Safe?

✅ Yes, E965 is safe for regular consumption according to all major food regulators worldwide.

Regulatory Approvals:

• FDA: Self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)
• EFSA: Approved under EU Regulation 231/2012
• UK Food Standards Authority: Approved
• Australia & New Zealand: Approved
• JECFA (FAO/WHO): Extensive toxicological testing confirms safety

Important Context on Side Effects:

Maltitol can cause laxative effects, but only at very high doses—45+ grams in a single sitting. In normal food products, maltitol content is far below this threshold. Food-Info.net confirms: “Side effects normally occur after an intake of 25-30 grams in a single dose, which is far above the usage in normal foods.”

If you experience any digestive discomfort, it’s likely you’ve consumed an unusually large amount in one sitting, not that the ingredient is unsafe in normal quantities.

⚠️ Note: Recent research on similar sugar alcohols (xylitol and erythritol) suggests very high consumption may warrant caution, but maltitol has different metabolic pathways and far more established safety data. Consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet, as you would with any sweetener.

Natural vs Synthetic Version

E965 is synthetically produced—it’s not a natural sweetener.

While maltitol is derived from natural plant sources (corn and wheat starch), it requires chemical hydrogenation to be created.

The advantage: It’s more stable and consistent than if it were extracted naturally.

The caveat: If you specifically seek “natural” sweeteners, maltitol is not the right choice. It’s a chemically-modified product, though completely safe.

Natural Alternatives

If you want to avoid maltitol, here are alternative sweeteners:

• Stevia (E960) – herbal sweetener, zero calories
• Erythritol (E968) – sugar alcohol, almost zero calories
• Xylitol (E967) – sugar alcohol, similar to maltitol
• Honey, maple syrup – natural but full-calorie options

These work, but maltitol remains popular because its taste and functionality are closest to real sugar.

The Bottom Line

E965 (Maltitol) is a safe, approved low-calorie sweetener used in sugar-free and diabetic-friendly foods worldwide.

It’s about 90% as sweet as sugar with half the calories and a much lower impact on blood sugar levels.

Regulatory bodies across the USA, EU, UK, Australia, and internationally confirm its safety for normal consumption.

Side effects only occur at doses far exceeding what you’d consume in typical foods.

If you’re choosing between sugar and a sugar alcohol like maltitol, maltitol is the healthier choice for weight management and blood sugar control.

What is E965? – Complete guide to understanding Maltitol