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Maltitol(E965)

Level 3 — ContestedIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources

Maltitol is a natural sweetener — Sugar substitute, 90% sweetness of sugar

What it does

Sugar substitute, 90% sweetness of sugar

Where you'll see it

Confections, baked goods, candy coatings

What the research says

Cancer study in rats observed adrenal gland changes including benign and malignant tumors; slight increase in breast cancer in female rats. [ultra-processed-people] 'A modified sugar, itself made from a modified starch, which is less calorific but almost as sweet as table sugar.' Used to engineer 'low-calorie' versions of snack bars; inherits van Tulleken's general concern about sugar-substitute reformulation creating sweet taste without matching calorie payoff.

Regulatory status

  • EU: approved

Sources

  • Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken) — Chapter 9: How UPF hacks our brains: the first ingredient is something called maltitol, a modified sugar, itself made from a modified starch
  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): increased incidence of both benign and malignant tumors of the adrenal glands in both sexes and a slight increase in breast cancer in female rats