Polydextrose | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Polydextrose is a synthetic, water-soluble glucose polymer produced by high-temperature condensation of dextrose with sorbitol and citric acid; it is used as a bulking agent, low-calorie filler, and soluble dietary fibre in reduced-sugar and reduced-fat foods. It is only partially fermented in the large intestine and contributes approximately 1 kcal/g.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Extensive toxicology studies in animals and humans have found no genotoxic, carcinogenic, reproductive, or developmental toxicity; EFSA concluded no numerical ADI is necessary and there is no safety concern at reported use levels. JECFA similarly assigned an 'ADI not specified' designation. High intakes (approximately 90 g/day) may cause a laxative effect in sensitive individuals, though this is well above typical dietary exposure.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Approved under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Annex II and III). EFSA 2021 re-evaluation found no need for a numerical ADI. Panel recommended the European Commission introduce limits for arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in EU specifications and verify Polydextrose-N is no longer marketed.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Polydextrose A and N permitted at GMP levels per FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Products containing ≥10% polydextrose must carry the label declaration 'Polydextrose may have laxative effect' per FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Approved food additive under 21 CFR §172.841. Recognised as a dietary fibre in the 2016 FDA nutrition labelling rules.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Ibs — As a fermentable soluble fibre, polydextrose may exacerbate bloating, gas, and loose stools in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, particularly at higher doses.

Ibd — High-fibre or fermentable carbohydrate intake, including polydextrose, may aggravate symptoms during active inflammatory bowel disease flares; medical guidance is advisable.

Infants — FSSAI mandates laxative-effect labelling, and high polydextrose intake in young children could cause diarrhoea or gastrointestinal discomfort due to their lower body mass and gut sensitivity.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations – Compendium (Version IV, September 2022), 2022. fssai.gov.in
2EFSA. Re-evaluation of polydextrose (E 1200) as a food additive, 2021. efsa.europa.eu
3PubMed. Re-evaluation of polydextrose (E 1200) as a food additive, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4FSSAI. Appendix A: List of Food Additives – FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, 2011. fssai.gov.in
5PubMed. A review of the studies of the safety of polydextrose in food, 1999. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations