Thickener · EU 953
Isomalt
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Isomalt is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #150 of 417.
- #150 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Isomalt is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #150 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (64th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #150 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Isomalt: 66 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #150 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 66 · #150 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 953 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Isomalt?
ISOMALT is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol used primarily for its sugar-like physical properties. It has little to no impact on blood sugar levels, and does not stimulate the release of insulin. Isomalt is widely used for the production of sugar-free candy, especially hard-boiled candy.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (66 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 66
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Isomalt safe to consume?
Isomalt scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (66 tracked products, #150 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Isomalt used for in food?
Isomalt shows up as Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods in the Thickener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (66 products).
Where does Isomalt sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #150 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.