My diet:

Barley malt syrup (Malt extract)

No E-numberSweetenersOrigin: Plant
Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Barley malt syrup is germinated barley.

Gluten-freeNo

Barley contains gluten, and malting does not remove it.

HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoNo

Malt syrup is a sugar extract of barley.

Low-FODMAPNo

Barley is high in fructans.

The short answer
Barley malt syrup is a sweet extract of sprouted barley. The FDA lists it as GRAS. It contains gluten, so it is not gluten-free, and it is not keto.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberNone
Comes fromPlant
What it doesSweeteners
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledBarley malt syrup, Malt extract

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

The FDA affirms malt syrup, also called malt extract, as GRAS for use as a flavoring, with no cap beyond good manufacturing practice (21 CFR 184.1445). Europe and Canada treat barley malt as a food. Barley contains gluten, and sprouting does not remove it.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Malt syrup tastes of toasted grain and is less sweet than table sugar. Bagel makers and beer brewers both rely on it, for flavor in one case and for yeast food in the other.

Where it comes from: The FDA describes malt syrup as a concentrate of the water extract of germinated barley, also called malt extract, usually at 75 to 80 percent solids. Sprouting turns on amylase enzymes that turn the grain's starch into maltose and other sugars.

Why it’s in food

  • Flavors bagels and malted milk
  • Feeds yeast in bread and beer
  • Colors a crust
  • Sweetens a cereal bar

Often found in

BagelsMalted milk drinksBeerBrown breadMalted milk ballsSome breakfast cereals

Also listed as: Barley malt syrup, Malt extract, Malt syrup, Barley malt extract

Health & gut impact

GlutenConcern

The FDA identity of malt syrup is a water extract of germinated barley. Barley gluten stays in that extract.

21 CFR 184.1445

Sugars from sproutingConcern

Amylases in the sprouted grain turn starch into maltose and other sugars. The syrup is those sugars, concentrated.

21 CFR 184.1445

What can I use instead?

Maple syrup

Ratio: You will lose the malt flavor

Best for: A gluten-free pourable sweetener

Molasses

Ratio: Use less, because molasses is harsher

Best for: Color in a gluten-free loaf

Related

More sweeteners:

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) E950Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, E950) is a zero-calorie sweetener approved in the US, EU and Canada. EFSA re-checked it in 2025 and raised its daily limit. It's usually paired with sucralose or aspartame to hide a slightly bitter aftertaste.Use in moderationAdvantame E969Advantame (E969) is an extremely intense sweetener related to aspartame. Regulators approve it, and the amount in a food is tiny next to the daily limit. It does not carry aspartame's phenylalanine warning at normal use.Generally safeAgave syrup (Agave nectar)Agave syrup is a plant sweetener that is mostly fructose. It barely moves blood sugar, and it is still sugar: skip it on keto and in a low-FODMAP elimination.Use in moderationAlluloseAllulose is a "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but has almost no calories and doesn't raise blood sugar. It's keto-friendly and browns like real sugar in baking.Generally safe

Common questions

Is malt syrup gluten-free?

No. It is made from barley.

Is malt extract the same as malt syrup?

In the FDA rule, malt syrup and malt extract are interchangeable names for this concentrate.

Is Barley malt syrup safe?

Use in moderation (50/100). The FDA affirms malt syrup, also called malt extract, as GRAS for use as a flavoring, with no cap beyond good manufacturing practice (21 CFR 184.1445). Europe and Canada treat barley malt as a food. Barley contains gluten, and sprouting does not remove it.

Is Barley malt syrup vegan?

Yes. Barley malt syrup is germinated barley.

Is Barley malt syrup gluten-free?

No. Barley contains gluten, and malting does not remove it.

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it ›

Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 184.1445 (US FDA)
  • 21 CFR 184.1445