Polydextrose

E number E1200INS 1200CAS 68424-04-4

Listed as a thickener, a stabiliser and a humectant by Codex and the US.

Listed as thickeners (US, Codex) · stabilisers (US, Codex) · humectants (US, Codex) · texturisers (CA, US) · glazing and surface-finishing agents (Codex) · bulking agents (Codex) · nutrient supplements (US) · formulation aids (US)

Polydextrose is a bulking agent and soluble fibre, used to replace sugar and fat while keeping the body of the food. It contributes about a quarter of the calories of sugar because the body digests only part of it.

Where it is and isn’t permitted

Status of Polydextrose by jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction this site covers is listed, including those where the substance does not appear.
JurisdictionStatusScope and limitsCitation
Australia and New ZealandFood Standards Australia New ZealandPermitted, with conditions

54 food categories

no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice)

Show every food category
  • 0 Preparations of food additives — GMP
  • 1.1.1 Liquid milk (including buttermilk) — GMPOnly UHT goats milk.
  • 1.1.2 Liquid milk products and flavoured liquid milk — GMP
  • 1.2.2 Fermented milk products and rennetted milk products — GMP
  • 1.3 Condensed milk and evaporated milk — GMP
  • 1.4.1 Cream, reduced cream and light cream — GMPOnly UHT creams and creams receiving equivalent or greater heat treatments.
  • 1.4.2 Cream products (flavoured, whipped, thickened, sour cream etc) — GMP
  • 1.5 Dried milk, milk powder, cream powder — GMP
  • 1.6 Cheese and cheese products — GMP
  • 10.2 Liquid egg products — GMP
  • 10.3 Frozen egg products — GMP
  • 10.4 Dried or heat coagulated egg products — GMP
  • 11.1.1 Rainbow sugar — GMP
  • 11.3.1 Dried honey — GMP
  • 11.4 Tabletop sweeteners — GMP
  • 12.1.2 Reduced sodium salt mixture — GMP
  • 12.1.3 Salt substitute — GMP
  • 12.5 Yeast and yeast products — GMP
  • 12.6 Vegetable protein products — GMP
  • 13.3 Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods — GMP
  • 13.4 Formulated supplementary sports foods — GMP
  • 13.5 Food for special medical purposes — GMP
  • 14.1.1.2 Carbonated, mineralised and soda waters — GMP
  • 14.1.2.1 Fruit and vegetable juices — GMPFor juice separated by other than mechanical means only.
  • 14.1.2.2 Fruit and vegetable juice products — GMP
  • 14.1.3 Water based flavoured drinks — GMP
  • 14.1.4 Formulated Beverages — GMP
  • 14.1.5 Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, herbal infusions and similar products — GMP
  • 14.2.3 Wine based drinks and reduced alcohol wines — GMP
  • 14.2.4.1 Fruit wine products and vegetable wine products — GMP
  • 14.2.5 Spirits and liqueurs — GMP
  • 14.3 Alcoholic beverages not included in item 14.2 — GMP
  • 2.1 Edible oils essentially free of water — GMP
  • 2.2.1.2 Butter products — GMP
  • 2.2.1.3 Margarine and similar products — GMP
  • 2.2.2 Oil emulsions (<80% oil) — GMP
  • 20 Foods not included in items 0 to 14 — GMP
  • 3 Ice cream and edible ices — GMP
  • 4.1.3 Fruits and vegetables that are peeled, cut, or both peeled and cut — GMP
  • 4.3 Processed fruits and vegetables — GMP
  • 5.1 Chocolate and cocoa products — GMP
  • 5.2 Sugar confectionery — GMP
  • 5.4 Icings and frostings — GMP
  • 6.3 Processed cereal and meal products — GMP
  • 6.4 Flour products (including noodles and pasta) — GMP
  • 7 Breads and bakery products — GMP
  • 8.2 Processed meat, poultry and game products in whole cuts or pieces — GMP
  • 8.3 Processed comminuted meat, poultry and game products, other than products listed in item 8.3.2 — GMP
  • 8.3.2 Sausage and sausage meat containing raw, unprocessed meat — GMP
  • 8.4 Edible casings — GMP
  • 8.5 Animal protein products — GMP
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fish products — GMP
  • 9.3 Semi preserved fish and fish products — GMP
  • 9.4 Fully preserved fish including canned fish products — GMP
Food Standards Code, Schedule 15, S15—5and 53 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17
CanadaHealth CanadaPermitted

no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice)

In: Unstandardized foods. Purpose: Bodying and texturizing agent. Limit: Good Manufacturing Practice.

Health Canada, List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use (List 8), item P.4retrieved 2026-10-17
European UnionEuropean Commission / EFSAPermitted, with conditions

71 food categories

Show every food category
  • 1.3 unflavoured fermented milk products heat-treated after fermentation — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 1.4 flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 1.6.3 other creams — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 1.7.1 unripened cheese excluding products falling in category 16Permitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except mozzarella.
  • 1.7.5 processed cheese — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML =10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid;E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressedas guanylic acid.
  • 1.7.6 cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 1.8 Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 10.2 processed eggs and egg products — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML =10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid;E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressedas guanylic acid.
  • 11.2 Other sugars and syrups — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 11.4.2 table-top sweeteners in powder form — quantum satisquantum satis.
  • 11.4.3 table-top sweeteners in tablets — quantum satisquantum satis.
  • 12.1.2 salt substitutes — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.3 Vinegars and diluted acetic acid (diluted with water to 4-30 % by volume) — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.4 Mustard — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.6 Sauces — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.7 Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.8 Yeast and yeast products — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 12.9 Protein products excluding products covered in category 1 8 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 13.2 Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5.) — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 13.3 Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 14.1.2 Fruit juices as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable juicesPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. only vegetable juices.
  • 14.1.3 Fruit nectars as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable nectars and similar productsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. only vegetable nectars, E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.1.4 Flavoured_drinksPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E 421, E 953, E 965, E 966 and E 967 may not be used E 968 may not be used except where specifically provided for in this food category.
  • 14.1.5.2 otherPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. excluding unflavoured leaf tea; including flavoured instant coffee; E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used in drinks.
  • 14.2.1 beer and malt beverages — quantum satisquantum satis. Only energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers Period of application: From 25 June 2012.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perryPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made winePermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.5 MeadPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/787Permitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except whisky or whiskey; E 420, E421, E 953, E 965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used except in liqueurs.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised winesPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinksPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktailsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic beverages including mixtures of alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages and other alcoholic beverages based on distilled alcohol with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 %Permitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 420, E421, E 953, E 965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 15.1 Potato- cereal- flour- or starch-based snacks — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 15.2 Processed nuts — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 16 Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 17.1 food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’,Permitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 410, E 412, E 415, E 417 and E 425 may not be used to produce dehydrated food supplements intended to rehydrate on ingestion.
  • 17.2 food supplements supplied in a liquid form excluding food supplements for Infants and young children — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 18 Processed foods not covered by categories 1 to 17 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 18.1 Processed foods not covered by categories 18.2 and 18.3, excluding foods for infants and young children — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 18.3 Food specially produced to reduce the gluten content of gluten-containing ingredients or substitute the gluten-containing ingredientsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. Including dry pasta.
  • 2.2.2 Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 2.3 Vegetable oil pan spray — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 3 edible ices — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 4.2.1 dried fruit and vegetablesPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. E 410, E 412, E 415 and E 417 may not be used to produce dehydrated foods intended to rehydrate on ingestion.
  • 4.2.2 fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 4.2.5.4 nut butters and nut spreads — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 4.2.6 processed potato products — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 5.1 Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/ECPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. only energy-reduced or with no added sugars.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweetsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. The substances listed under numbers E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404, E 406, E 407, 407a, E 410, E 412, E 413, E 414, E 415, E 417, E 418, E 425 and E 440 may not be used in jelly mini-cups, defined, for the purpose of this Regulation, as jelly confectionery of a firm consistence, contained in semi rigid mini-cups or mini-capsules, intended to be ingested in a single bite by exerting pressure on the mini-cups or mini-capsule to project the confectionery into the mouth; E 410, E 412, E 415 E 417 may not be used to produce dehydrated foods intended to rehydrate on ingestion. E425 may not be used in jelly confectionery.
  • 5.3 chewing gum — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.2.2 starches — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.3 breakfast cereals — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.4.2 Dry pasta — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.4.4 Potato GnocchiPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except fresh refrigerated potato gnocchi.
  • 6.4.5 fillings of stuffed pasta (ravioli and similar) — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.5 Noodles — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.6 Batters — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 6.7 pre-cooked or processed cereals — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 7.1 Bread and rollsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except products in 7.1.1 and 7.1.2.
  • 7.2 Fine bakery wares — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 8.3.2 Heat-treated meat productsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. except foie gras, foie gras entier, blocs de foie gras, Libamáj, libamáj egészben, libamáj tömbben.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. ML = quantum satis; except E 425 ML = 10000 mg/kg; E 620 to E 625, ML = 10000 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as glutamic acid; E 626 to E 635, ML = 500 mg/kg individually or in combination, expressed as guanylic acid.
  • 9.3 fish roePermitted as a member of Group I, Additives. only processed fish roe.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex IIand 70 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
Great BritainFood Standards Agency / Food Standards ScotlandPermitted, with conditions

69 food categories

Show every food category
  • 1.3 Unflavoured fermented milk products, heat-treated after fermentation — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 1.4 Flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 1.6.3 Other creams — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.1 Unripened cheese excluding products falling in category 16 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. except mozzarella.
  • 1.7.5 Processed cheese — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.6 Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 1.8 Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 10.2 Processed eggs and egg products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 11.2 Other sugars and syrups — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 11.4.2 Table-top sweeteners in powder form — quantum satisquantum satis.
  • 11.4.3 Table-top sweeteners in tablets — quantum satisquantum satis.
  • 12.1.2 Salt substitutes — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.3 Vinegars and diluted acetic acid (diluted with water to 4-30 % by volume) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.4 Mustard — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.6 Sauces — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.7 Salads and savoury based sandwich spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.8 Yeast and yeast products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 12.9 Protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 13.2 Dietary foods for special medical purposes defined in Directive 1999/21/EC (excluding products from food category 13.1.5) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 13.4 Foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten as defined by Commission Regulation (EC) No 41/2009 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. including dry pasta.
  • 14.1.2 Fruit juices as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable juices — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. only vegetable juices.
  • 14.1.3 Fruit nectars as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable nectars and similar products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. only vegetable nectars, E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.1.4 Flavoured drinks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E 421, E 953, E 965, E 966 and E 967 may not be used E 968 may not be used except where specifically provided for in this food category.
  • 14.1.5.2 Other — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. excluding unflavoured leaf tea; including flavoured instant coffee; E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used in drinks.
  • 14.2.1 Beer and malt beverages — quantum satisquantum satis. Only energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers Period of application: From 25 June 2012.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perry — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made wine — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.5 Mead — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. except whisky or whiskey; E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used except in liqueurs.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktails — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic drinks including mixtures of alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks and spirits with less than 15 % of alcohol — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 420, E421, E 953, E965, E 966, E 967 and E 968 may not be used.
  • 15.1 Potato-, cereal-, flour- or starch-based snacks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 15.2 Processed nuts — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 16 Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 4 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 410, E 412, E 415, E 417 and E 425 may not be used to produce dehydrated food supplements intended to rehydrate on ingestion.
  • 17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 18 Processed foods not covered by categories 1 to 17, excluding foods for infants and young children — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 2.2.2 Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 2.3 Vegetable oil pan spray — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 3 Edible ices — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 4.2.1 Dried fruit and vegetables — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. E 410, E 412, E 415 E 417 may not be used to produce dehydrated foods intended to rehydrate on ingestion.
  • 4.2.2 Fruit and vegetables in vinegar, oil, or brine — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 4.2.5.4 Nut butters and nut spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 4.2.6 Processed potato products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 5.1 Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/EC — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. The substances listed under numbers E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404, E 406, E 407, 407a, E 410, E 412, E 413, E 414, E 415, E 417, E 418, E 425 and E 440 may not be used in jelly mini-cups, defined, for the purpose of this Regulation, as jelly confectionery of a firm consistence, contained in semi rigid mini-cups or mini-capsules, intended to be ingested in a single bite by exerting pressure on the mini-cups or mini-capsule to project the confectionery into the mouth; E 410, E 412, E 415 E 417 may not be used to produce dehydrated foods intended to rehydrate on ingestion. E425 may not be used in jelly confectionery.
  • 5.3 Chewing gum — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.2.2 Starches — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.3 Breakfast cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.4.2 Dry pasta — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. only gluten free and/or pasta intended for hypoproteic diets in accordance with Directive 2009/39/EC.
  • 6.4.4 Potato gnocchi — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. except fresh refrigerated potato gnocchi.
  • 6.4.5 Fillings of stuffed pasta (ravioli and similar) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.5 Noodles — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.6 Batters — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 6.7 Pre-cooked or processed cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 7.1 Bread and rolls — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. except products in 7.1.1 and 7.1.2.
  • 7.2 Fine bakery wares — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated meat products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. except foie gras, foie gras entier, blocs de foie gras, Libamáj, libamáj egészben, libamáj tömbben.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis.
  • 9.3 Fish roe — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group I. quantum satis. only processed fish roe.
Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 68 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
JapanConsumer Affairs AgencyNo listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance.
South KoreaMinistry of Food and Drug SafetyPermitted, with conditions
Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. …

Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 폴리덱스트로스 (“Polydextrose”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 폴리덱스트로스: 습윤제, 안정제, 증점제. Standard for use (사용기준) of 폴리덱스트로스: (1) [to be used under the general standard for use in II. 2. 1), the minimum amount that achieves the technical effect, with no limit set for this additive in particular] “II. 2. 1)의 규정에 따라 사용하여야 한다.” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive.

Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18
United StatesFood and Drug AdministrationPermitted, with conditions21 CFR 172.841retrieved 2026-10-17
Codex AlimentariusCodex Alimentarius Commission / JECFAPermitted, with conditions

11 food categories

no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice)

Show every food category and its notes
  • 01.1.2 Other Fluid Milk (plain) — GMP
    • Note 407 Excluding all fluid milks that are not mineral or vitamin fortified.
    • Note 438 For use as emulsifier or stabilizer only.
  • 01.2.1.1 Fermented milks (plain), not heat-treated after fermentation — GMP
    • Note 234 For use as a stabilizer or thickener only.
    • Note 235 For use in reconstituted and recombined products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003) only.
  • 01.2.1.2 Fermented milks (plain), heat-treated after fermentation — GMP
    • Note 234 For use as a stabilizer or thickener only.
  • 01.2.2 Renneted milk (plain) — GMP
  • 01.4.2 Sterilized and UHT creams, whipping and whipped creams, and reduced fat creams (plain) — GMP
    • Note XS288 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cream and Prepared Creams (CXS 288-1976)
  • 09.2.1 Frozen fish, fish fillets, and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
    • Note XS36 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish, Uneviscerated and Eviscerated (CODEX STAN 36-1981).
    • Note XS92 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Shrimps and Prawns (CODEX STAN 92-1981).
    • Note XS95 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Lobsters (CODEX STAN 95-1981).
    • Note XS165 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish Fillet, Minced Fish Flesh and Mixtures of Fillets and Minced Fish Flesh (CODEX STAN 165-1989).
    • Note XS190 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Fillets (CODEX STAN 190-1995).
    • Note XS191 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Raw Squid (CODEX STAN 191-1995).
    • Note XS292 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Live and Raw Bivalve Molluscs (CODEX STAN 292-2008).
    • Note XS312 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Live Abalone and for Raw Fresh Chilled or Frozen Abalone for Direct Consumption or for Further Processing (CODEX STAN 312-2013).
    • Note XS315 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fresh and Quick Frozen Raw Scallop Products (CODEX STAN 315-2014).
  • 09.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products — GMP
    • Note 241 For use in surimi products only.
  • 09.2.4.3 Fried fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
    • Note 41 For use in breading or batter coatings only.
  • 10.2.1 Liquid egg products — GMP
  • 10.2.2 Frozen egg products — GMP
  • 11.4 Other sugars and syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings) — GMP
    • Note 258 Excluding maple syrup.
CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 1200and 11 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07

How much is permitted

A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.

Australia and New Zealand—54 GMP
Canada—1 GMP
European Union—46 several limits, 3 quantum satis, 22 no quantity stated
Great Britain—69 quantum satis
South Korea—1 no quantity stated
United States—1 no quantity stated
Codex Alimentarius—12 GMP

No regulator sets a figure for Polydextrose. That is not an absence of control: where the listing says quantum satis or good manufacturing practice, the quantity is limited to what the effect requires.

GRAS notices to the FDA

A GRAS notice is a company’s conclusion that a substance is generally recognised as safe for the use it describes. FDA’s letter responds to that conclusion, for that notifier and that use. It is not a listing in 21 CFR, and it is not counted as a US permission above. The substance and use are as FDA’s inventory words them; this site matched the notice to this page by exact name.

  • GRN No. 107 · Polydextrose · Danisco Cultor America

    Intended use: Use in non-sweet baked goods, breading and batter coatings, flavor bits on crackers, snack chips, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, surimi (minced fish and meat), ready-to-drink nutritional beverages, noncarbonated beverages and dry beverage mixes for multiple technical effects at varying levels

    FDA’s response (2002-10-17): At the notifier's request, FDA ceased to evaluate this notice

What it is made from

Made by heating glucose with a small amount of sorbitol and an acid catalyst, which links the sugar into randomly branched chains that human enzymes cannot fully break down.

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.

CAS registry number
68424-04-4

The two specifications, compared

The European Union sets identity and purity by regulation; JECFA publishes its own through FAO, advisory until a country adopts it. Both documents are below in full. These are the parameters each puts a number on.

ParameterEuropean UnionJECFA
Assayno less than 90 %no less than 90 %
Sulphated ashno more than 0.3 %no more than 0.3 %
Leadno more than 0.5 mg/kgno more than 0.5 mg/kg

The two documents state the same figures for every parameter compared here.

How the EU defines it

The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

E 1200 Polydextrose

Randomly bonded glucose polymers with some sorbitol end-groups, and with citric acid or phosphoric acid residues attached to the polymers by mono or diester bonds. They are obtained by melting and condensation of the ingredients and consist of approximately 90 parts D-glucose, 10 parts sorbitol and 1 part citric acid and/or 0,1 part phosphoric acid. The 1,6-glucosidic linkage predominates in the polymers but other linkages are present. The products contain small quantities of free glucose, sorbitol, levoglucosan (1,6-anhydro-D-glucose) and citric acid and may be neutralised with any food grade base and/or decolourised and deionised for further purification. The products may also be partially hydrogenated with Raney nickel catalyst to reduce residual glucose. Polydextrose-N is neutralised polydextrose

Synonyms: Modified polydextroses

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Assay
Content not less than 90 % of polymer on the ash free and anhydrous basis
Description
White to light tan-coloured solid. Polydextroses dissolve in water to give a clear, colourless to straw coloured solution

Identification

Test for sugar
Passes test
Test for reducing sugar
Passes test
pH
Between 2,5 and 7,0 for polydextrose (10 % solution) Between 5,0 and 6,0 for polydextrose-N (10 % solution)

Purity criteria

Water content
Not more than 4,0 % (Karl Fischer method)
Sulphated ash
Not more than 0,3 % (polydextrose) Not more than 2,0 % (polydextrose N)
Nickel
Not more than 2 mg/kg for hydrogenated polydextroses
1,6-Anhydro-D-glucose
Not more than 4,0 % on the ash-free and the dried basis
Glucose and sorbitol
Not more than 6,0 % combined on the ash-free and the dried basis; glucose and sorbitol are determined separately
Molecular weight limit
Negative test for polymers of molecular weight greater than 22 000
5-Hydroxy-methylfurfural
Not more than 0,1 % (polydextrose) Not more than 0,05 % (polydextrose-N)
Lead
Not more than 0,5 mg/kg

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, E 1200

How JECFA defines it

The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.

INS 1200 Polydextroses

Randomly bonded condensation polymers of glucose with some sorbitol end-groups, and with citric acid or phosphoric acid residues attached to the polymers by mono or diester bonds. They are obtained by melting and condensation of the ingredients which consist of approximately 90 parts D-glucose, 10 parts sorbitol and up to 1 part citric acid or 0.1 part phosphoric acid. The 1,6-glucosidic linkage predominates in the polymers but other linkages are present. The products contain small quantities of free glucose, sorbitol, levoglucosan (1,6-anhydro-D-glucose) and citric acid and may be neutralized with any food-grade base and/or decolourized and deionized for further purification. The products may also be partially hydrogenated with Raney nickel catalyst to reduce residual glucose. Polydextrose-N is neutralized Polydextrose.

Synonyms: Modified polydextroses; INS No. 1200

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Specification history
Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998) and published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998) superseding specifications prepared at the 44th JECFA (1995), published in FNP 52 Add 3 (1995). An ADI "not specified" was established at the 31st JECFA in 1987.
C.A.S. number
68424-04-4
Assay
Not less than 90.0% of polymer on the ash-free and water-free bases
DESCRIPTION
White to light tan-coloured solid. Polydextroses dissolve in water to give clear, colourless to straw-coloured solutions
FUNCTIONAL USES
Bulking agent, humectant, stabilizer, thickener
METHOD OF ASSAY
Phenol Solution Add 20 ml of water to 80 g of phenol. Glucose Standard Solutions Weigh accurately 100 mg of alpha-D-glucose (minimum 97% purity) into a 500-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with distilled water. Dilute five aliquots of the solution with distilled water to obtain the following concentrations of standard: 50, 40, 20, 10 and 5 μg/ml. Standard Curve Run each analysis in triplicate. On a daily basis, pipet 2.0 ml of each of the Glucose Standard Solutions into 4-dram (14.8 ml) acetone-free screw-cap vials. Add 0.12 ml of the phenol solution and mix gently. Uncap vials and add rapidly 5 ml of sulfuric acid TS. Immediately recap the vials and shake vigorously. CAUTION : Rubber gloves and safety shield should be used in the sulfuric acid addition step. Let the vials stand at room temperature for 45 min. Determine absorbances at 490 nm in a suitable spectrophotometer, using a Phenol Solution-sulfuric acid mixture as a blank in the reference cell. Plot mean absorbances versus concentrations in μg/ml. Procedure In triplicate, weigh accurately about 250 mg of the sample into a 250-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with distilled water. Transfer a 10 ml aliquot to a 250-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with distilled water. Proceed as in Standard Curve. Calculate the percentage of polymer by the formula: where A = the sample absorbance S = the slope of absorbance versus glucose concentration in μg/ml obtained from the Standard Curve C = the concentration of the sample solution in μg/ml (adjusted for ash and moisture) P G and P 1 = the percentages of glucose and 1,6-anhydro-D-glucose, respectively, determined by the tests for monomers (see Purity tests for 1,6-Anhydro-D-glucose, glucose and sorbitol as described above).

Identification

Solubility (Vol. 4)
Very soluble in water
Test for sugar
To 1 drop of 1 in 10 solution of the sample, add 4 drops of 5% phenol solution, then rapidly add 15 drops of sulfuric acid TS. A deep yellow to orange colour is produced.
Solubility in acetone
With vigorous swirling add 1 ml of acetone to 1 ml of a 1 in 10 solution of the sample. The solution remains clear. With vigorous swirling add 2 ml of acetone to the solution. A heavy, milky turbidity develops immediately.
Test for reducing sugar
To 1 ml of a 1 in 50 solution of the sample, add 4 ml of alkaline cupric citrate TS. Boil vigorously 2-4 min. Remove from heat and let precipitate (if any) settle. The supernatant is blue or blue-green.

Purity criteria

Water (Vol. 4)
Not more than 4.0% (Karl Fischer Method)
pH (Vol. 4)
2.5 - 7.0 (for Polydextrose) (1 in 10 soln) 5.0 - 6.0 (for Polydextrose-N) (1 in 10 soln)
Sulfated ash (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.3% (for Polydextrose) Not more than 2.0% (for Polydextrose-N)
Nickel (Vol. 4)
Not more than 2 mg/kg for hydrogenated polydextroses Use method Nickel for polyols
1,6-Anhydro-D-glucose
Not more than 4.0% on the ash-free and the dried bases See description under TESTS
Glucose and sorbitol
Not more than 6.0% combined on the ash-free and the dried bases; glucose and sorbitol are determined separately See description under TESTS
Molecular weight limit
Negative to test for polymer of molecular weight greater than 22,000 See description under TESTS
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Not more than 0.1% in Polydextrose Not more than 0.05% in Polydextrose-N See description under TESTS
Lead (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.5 mg/kg Determine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4, “Instrumental Methods.”
Test: Lead (Vol. 4)
Apparatus: Use a suitable atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer Model 6000, or equivalent), a graphite furnace containing a L'vov platform (Perkin-Elmer Model HGA-500, or equivalent), and an autosampler (Perkin-Elmer Model AS-40, or equivalent). Use a lead hollow cathode lamp (lamp current of 10 mA), a slit width of 0.7 mm (set low), the wavelength set at 283.3 nm, and a deuterium arc lamp for background correction. Use argon as the carrier gas. (Note: For this test use reagent-grade chemicals with as low a lead content as practicable, as well as high-purity water and gases. Before use, rinse all glassware and plasticware twice with 10% nitric acid and twice with 10% hydrochloric acid, and then rinse thoroughly with high-purity water.) Lead Nitrate Stock Solution: Dissolve 159.8 mg of reagent-grade lead nitrate in 1000.0 ml of water. Prepare and store this solution in glass containers that are free from lead salts. Each ml of this solution contains the equivalent of 100 μg of lead ion. Standard Lead Solution: On the day of use, dilute 10.0 ml of Lead Nitrate Stock Solution with water to 100.0 ml, and mix. Each ml of Standard Lead Solution contains the equivalent of 10 μg of lead ion. Standard Solutions: Prepare a series of lead standard solutions serially diluted from the Standard Lead Solution. Into separate 100 ml volumetric flasks, pipet 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 ml, and 5 ml, respectively, of Standard Lead Solution, dilute to volume with water, and mix. The Standard Solutions contain, respectively, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 μg of lead per ml. Matrix Modifier: Transfer 100.0 mg of ammonium phosphate, dibasic ((NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 ) to a 10 ml volumetric flask, dilute to volume with water, and mix. Sample Solution: Transfer about 1 g of the sample, accurately weighed, to a 10 ml volumetric flask, add 5 ml of water, and mix. Dilute to volume with water, and mix. Spiked (fortified) Sample Solution: Prepare a solution as directed under Sample Solution, but add 100 μl of the Standard Lead Solution, dilute to volume with water, and mix. This solution contains 0.1 μg/ml of added lead. Procedure: With the use of an autosampler, atomize 10-μl aliquots of the five Standard Solutions, using the following sequence of conditions: step (1) dry at 130 o with a 20-sec ramp period, a 40-sec hold time, and a 300 ml/min argon flow rate; step (2) char at 800 o with a 20-sec ramp period, a 40-sec hold time, and a 300 ml/min argon flow rate; step (3) atomize at 2400 o for 6 sec with a 50 ml/min argon flow rate, and read; step (4) clean at 2600 o with a 1-sec ramp period, a 5-sec hold time, and a 300 ml/min argon flow rate; and step (5) recharge at 20 o with a 2-sec ramp period, a 20-sec hold time, and a 300 ml/min argon flow rate. Atomize 10 μl of the Matrix Modifier in combination with 10 μl of the Sample Solution under identical conditions used for the Standard Solutions. Repeat with 10 μl of the Matrix Modifier in combination with 10 μl of the Spiked Sample Solution. Plot a standard curve using the concentration, in μg/ml, of each Standard Solution versus its maximum absorbance value compensated for background correction, and draw the best straight line. From the Standard Curve, determine the concentrations C S and C A in μg/ml, of the Sample Solution and the Spiked Sample Solution, respectively. Calculate the quantity, in mg/kg, of lead in the sample by the formula: where W = the weight, in g, of the sample taken. Calculate the recovery by the formula: where 0.1 = the amount of lead, in μg/ml, added to the Spiked Sample Solution.
Test: 1,6-Anhydro-D-glucose, glucose and sorbitol
Gas chromatography - Octadecane Solution: Accurately weigh 50 mg of n-octadecane into a 100-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with pyridine. - Monomer Standard Solution: Weigh accurately 50 mg reagent grade alpha-D-glucose, 40 mg anhydrous D-sorbitol (min. 97% purity), and 35 mg of reagent grade (1,6-anhydro-D-glucose), into a 100-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with pyridine. Silylation of Monomer Standard Solution Transfer 1.0 ml of Monomer Standard Solution to a screw-cap vial and add 1 ml of Octadecane Solution and 0.5 ml of N-trimethylsilylimidazole. Cap the vial and immerse in an ultrasonic bath at 70 o for 60 min. Gas Chromatograph conditions Glass column, 2.44 m by 2 mm i.d. packed with 3% OV-1 on Gas Chrom Q 100/120 mesh. Flame ionization detector. Temperatures: column 175 o ; injection port 210 o ; detector 230 o . Retention times (min): 1,6-anhydro-D-glucose, pyranose form 3.7; 1,6-anhydro-D-glucose furanose form (not present in standard) 4.3; n-octadecane 5.1; alpha-D-glucose 8.7; D-sorbitol 11.3; beta-D-glucose 13.3. Procedure Accurately weigh 20 mg of the sample into a screw-cap vial and add 1.0 ml of Octadecane Solution, 1 ml of pyridine, and 0.5 ml of N-trimethylsilylimidazole. Cap the vial and immerse in an ultrasonic bath at 70 o for 60 min. Prior to sample analysis, inject 3 μl of the silylated Monomer Standard Solution into the gas chromatograph. Repeat two times, then inject 3 μl of the sample solution. Calculate the percentage of each monomer by the formula: where W = the weight of the sample in mg, adjusted for ash and moisture W S = the weight in mg of the monomer in the Monomer Standard Solution R = the ratio of the area of the monomer peak to the area of the octadecane peak in the sample injection R S = the mean ratio of the area of the monomer peak to the area of the octadecane peak in the standard injections. In the case of glucose, the peak areas for the alpha- and beta-epimers and in the case of 1,6-anhydro-D-glucose the peak areas for the pyranose form and furanose form are combined.
Test: Molecular weight limit
Apparatus Use a suitable high-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a differential refractometer, either a loop injector or suitable autosampler, a column heating block or oven and a computing integrator, or computer data handling system with molecular weight determination capabilities. Use a Waters Ultrahydrogel 250 A size exclusion column, or equivalent. The column is maintained at 45 o , and the HPLC pump supplies eluent to it at 0.8 ml/min reproducible to 0.5%. The differential refractometer should be set at a sensitivity of 4 x 10 -6 refractive index units full scale, and the plotter of the integrator should be set to 64 millivolts full scale. Maintain the detector cell at 35±0.1 o . Noise attributable to the detector and electronics should be less than 0.1% full scale. Eluent The eluent is 0.1 N sodium nitrate containing 0.025% sodium azide. Dissolve 35.0 g of sodium nitrate and 1.0 g of sodium azide in 100 ml of HPLC-grade water. Filter through a 0.45-μm filter into a 4-l flask. Dilute to volume with HPLC-grade water. De-gas by applying an aspirator vacuum for 30 min. Standard Solution Transfer 20 mg each of dextrose, stachyose, 5800, 23,700, and 100,000 MW pullulan standards into a 10-ml volumetric flask. Dissolve in and dilute to volume with Eluent. Filter through a 0.45 μm syringe filter into a suitable autosampler vial, and seal (All components of the Standard Solution are available from Polymer Laboratories, Inc., Technical Center, Amherst Fields Research Park, 160 Old Farm Road, Amherst, MA 01002, USA). Column Equilibration After installation of a new column in the HPLC, pump Eluent through it overnight at 0.3 ml/min. Before calibration or analysis, increase the flow slowly to 0.8 ml/min over a 1-min period, then pump at 0.8 ml/min for at least 1 h before the first injection. Check the flow gravimetrically, and adjust it if necessary. Reduce the flow to 0.1 ml/min when the system is not in use. Data System Setup Set the integrator or computerized data handling system as their respective manuals instruct for normal gel permeation chromatographic determinations. Set the integration time to 15 min. Column Standardization After the HPLC system has been equilibrated at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min for at least 1 h, inject 50 μl of the Standard Solution five times, allowing 15 min between injections. Record the retention times of the various components in the Standard Solution. Retention times for each component should agree within ± 2 sec. Insert the average retention time along with the molecular weight of each component into the calibration table of the molecular weight distribution software. System Suitability Check the regression results for a cubic fit of the calibration points. They should have an R 2 value of 0.9999+. Dextrose and stachyose should be baseline-resolved from one another and from the 5800 MW pullulan standard. Elevated valleys are usually observed between the 5800, 23,700 and 100,000 MW pullulan standards. Sample Preparation Transfer 50 mg of sample, accurately weighed, into a 10-ml volumetric flask. Dissolve in and dilute to volume with Eluent. Filter through a 0.45-μm syringe filter into a suitable autosampler vial. Procedure Inject 50 μl of the Sample Preparation, following the same conditions and procedure as described under Column Standardization. Using the Formula weight Distribution software of the data reduction system, generate a molecular weight distribution curve of the sample. There is no measurable peak above a molecular weight of 22,000.
Test: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)
Principle HMF solutions absorb light in the ultraviolet region. The maximum absorption occurs at 283 nm and the molar extinction coefficient is 16,830 at that wavelength. The HMF concentration in polydextrose solutions is determined from the optical density at 283 nm and the application of the Beer-Lambert law. Apparatus - Standard laboratory equipment - Ultraviolet spectrophotometer - Spectrophotometer cells (quartz), 1.00 cm path length Procedure Accurately weigh 1.00±0.01 g of the sample into a 100-ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with distilled water (for polydextrose-N 70% solution use 1.43 ± 0.01 g sample). Read the optical density of this solution against a water blank at 283 nm in a 1.00 cm quartz cell in the spectrophotometer according to the directions supplied with the instrument. Under these conditions, the % HMF in the original sample is 0.0749 x optical density, on the dried basis. Calculation where C = % HMF in the original polydextrose sample M = HMF molecular weight D = optical density of the solution L = the path length of the spectrophotometer cell E = the molar extinction coefficient for HMF The numbers 100 and 10 are factors to convert solution concentration in mg/l to % HMF in the original sample, on the dried basis.

FAO JECFA Monograph 1 (2006)

Authorised in other additives, enzymes, flavourings and nutrients

These authorisations are not for use in food. They let this substance be used inside another additive, a food enzyme, a flavouring or a nutrient preparation — often as a carrier — and it reaches food only as part of that product. Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

PartMay be used inMaximum levelCitation
Annex III, Part 1: Carriers in food additivesAll food additivesquantum satisRegulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 1
Annex III, Part 2: Food additives other than carriers in food additivesAll food additive preparationsAuthorised as a member of Table 1 of Part 6, listed as "Table 1" Note (1): Except enzymes authorised as food additives.quantum satisRegulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 2, via Table 1 of Part 6
Annex III, Part 3: Food additives including carriers in food enzymesFood enzymesCan be used as a carrier: Yes Note (1): Including enzymes authorised as food additives.In enzyme preparation: quantum satis In final food except beverages: quantum satis In beverages: quantum satisRegulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 3
Annex III, Part 4: Food additives including carriers in food flavouringsAll flavouringsAuthorised as a member of Table 1 of Part 6, listed as "Table 1"quantum satisRegulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 4, via Table 1 of Part 6
Annex III, Part 5, Section A: Food additives added in nutrients except in nutrients intended to be used in foodstuffs listed in Part E, point 01.10, of Annex II and foodstuffs for infants and young children listed in Part E, point 13.1, of Annex IIAll nutrientsCan be used as a carrier: Yesquantum satisRegulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 5, Section A

Every name it appears under

22 recorded names. A label may use any of them.

E number

  • E1200

INS number

  • 1200

CAS registry number

  • 68424-04-4

As it appears in regulation

  • Polydextrose
  • Polydextroses

Other names

  • POLYDEXTROSES

Hazard reference values

Values set by assessing bodies. A body that has not set a value is not listed here.
TypeValuePopulationAssessed byOpinion
ADInot specified—JECFA1987

Evidence and how bodies read it

What assessing bodies concluded

Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.

  1. EFSA 2021

    The FAF Panel found no genotoxicity concern and no adverse effects at the highest doses tested for polydextrose (E 1200), and concluded that no numerical ADI is needed and there is no safety concern at reported uses and use levels. It recommended lowering the limit for lead and adding limits for arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the specifications.

    Source document

Common questions

Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.

What is E 1200?
E 1200 is Polydextrose. Polydextrose is a bulking agent and soluble fibre, used to replace sugar and fat while keeping the body of the food. It contributes about a quarter of the calories of sugar because the body digests only part of it.
What is Polydextrose used for in food?
It is listed as a thickener, a stabiliser and a humectant — the role Codex and the US assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
Where is Polydextrose permitted?
Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the EU, Great Britain, South Korea, the US and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
Is Polydextrose vegan?
Yes. Polydextrose is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.

Sources for this page

  • anz retrieved 2026-10-17
  • ca retrieved 2026-10-17
  • eu retrieved 2026-10-18
  • gb retrieved 2026-10-18
  • kr retrieved 2026-10-18
  • ecfr retrieved 2026-10-17
  • gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
  • euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18
  • jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23

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