Maltitols
E965
E965, E965i, E965ii, maltitol, maltitol syrup, jarabe de maltitol, maltitoles
What it is
A low-calorie polyol sugar alcohol obtained by hydrogenation of D-maltose.
Why BOTIA flags it
Maltitol sweetens almost like sugar and behaves similarly in baking, which is why it is found in most sugar-free chocolates and sweets. It is only partly absorbed — the rest reaches the large intestine, which is where the gas or laxative effect comes from. JECFA did not see a need to set a numerical limit.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E965 and map it to sweetener and E-number layers.
- Explain its partial absorption and the digestive effects that can occur at higher intakes.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Measure the exact percentage of maltitol added.
- Predict whether a particular intake will cause digestive symptoms in an individual.