Laktitol

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Lactitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol). The EU specification states its manufacture explicitly: 'lactitol is manufactured via catalytic hydrogenation of lactose'. Its chemical name is 4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucitol and its content is not less than 95 percent on the dry weight basis; the specification also records that nickel is used as the catalyst (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 966).

Where it is used

It is listed among the sweeteners in EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; its JECFA functional classes are sweetener and texturiser. The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives follows the same list.

Health note

In the EU, table-top sweeteners containing polyols must bear the warning 'excessive consumption may induce laxative effects' under Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. EFSA's re-evaluation covering the polyols is ongoing; no EFSA opinion has been published for lactitol and EFSA reports a genotoxicity data gap for this substance.

Halal assessment

The source of this additive is clear in the legislation: its raw material is lactose, milk sugar. It is therefore a milk-derived additive, and milk itself is a halal source. However, the milk fraction from which the lactose is obtained and the processing aids used in the production chain are not defined in the EU specification. Being milk-derived also matters for vegan diets. Consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for definitive information.