Taumatin

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

An intensely sweet protein mixture (mainly thaumatin I and thaumatin II) obtained from the fruit of the West African plant Thaumatococcus daniellii.

Where it is used

Used in very small amounts as a sweetener and flavour enhancer in products such as chewing gum, desserts, dairy products, confectionery and beverages. It is authorised in the lists of EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives.

Health note

In its 2021 re-evaluation (EFSA Journal 2021;19(11):6884) EFSA noted that thaumatin is a digestible protein, that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity and that no adverse effects were observed at the highest dose tested in subchronic studies in rats and dogs. Considering the calculated margin of safety of 5,417 to be an underestimate, the Panel concluded that there is no need for a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI). It also reported that no conclusion on oral allergenicity could be drawn from the available human data.

Halal assessment

Its source is plant-based (extraction from the fruit of Thaumatococcus daniellii); no animal input is reported in the EFSA opinion. Consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.