My diet:

E1200 Polydextrose

E1200Thickeners & gumsOrigin: Lab-made
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Every diet

VeganYes
Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoDepends

Polydextrose is only partly digested. Count it as a fiber, not as zero.

Low-FODMAPDepends

Large servings of polydextrose can ferment and bother a sensitive gut.

The short answer
Polydextrose (E1200) is a made fiber used to add bulk and fewer calories where sugar or flour was removed. It is approved. A big portion can cause gas, the same way other fibers can.
Use in moderation

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

E-numberE1200
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesThickeners & gums
Glycemic index6
Daily limitNot set
Also calledPolydextrose, E1200

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Polydextrose is an approved bulking agent in the US, the EU and Canada. It has no numbered daily cap. Large single servings can cause gas or a laxative effect, and US labels must say so when a serving could lead you there.

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

What is it?

Polydextrose tastes faintly sweet and holds water. Reduced-sugar cookies, bars and ice cream use it so the recipe does not collapse when sugar is cut.

Where it comes from: Polydextrose is made by linking glucose (usually from corn) with a little sorbitol and citric acid into a bulky, randomly branched polymer.

Why it’s in food

  • Bulks sugar-free cookies
  • Adds fiber
  • Holds moisture
  • Replaces some flour

Often found in

Protein barsSugar-reduced cookiesIce creamCandyCerealDrink mixes

Also listed as: Polydextrose, E1200

Health & gut impact

DigestionConcern

Polydextrose is only partly absorbed. The rest is fermented, and a large serving can mean gas or loose stools.

21 CFR 172.841

Blood sugarBenefit

Because most of it is not digested as glucose, polydextrose has a very low glycemic index.

EFSA dietary fibre opinion on polydextrose

What can I use instead?

Inulin

Ratio: To texture

Best for: Fiber in bars

Gum arabic

Ratio: To texture

Best for: Drinks and candy

Related

More thickeners & gums:

Agar-Agar E406Agar-agar (E406) is a seaweed gel that sets firmer than gelatin. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free, keto and kosher, and is the easiest plant swap for gelatin.Generally safeCarrageenan E407Carrageenan (E407) is a seaweed thickener in plant milks and deli meats. It's approved, but some studies link it to gut inflammation, so people with IBD often avoid it.Use in moderationCassia gum E427Cassia gum (E427) is a seed thickener, not cinnamon. Europe allows it in limited foods. In the US it is mainly a pet-food ingredient. Specs are strict because early batches carried impurities.Use in moderationCellulose Gum (CMC) E466Cellulose gum (E466, CMC) is a thickener made from wood or cotton fiber. It's approved everywhere and fine for most diets, but studies in mice and a small human trial suggest it can disturb gut bacteria.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is polydextrose a natural fiber?

No. It is a manufactured glucose polymer that acts like a fiber in the gut. Chicory inulin is a plant fiber used for a similar job.

Is Polydextrose safe?

Use in moderation (76/100). Polydextrose is an approved bulking agent in the US, the EU and Canada. It has no numbered daily cap. Large single servings can cause gas or a laxative effect, and US labels must say so when a serving could lead you there.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 172.841 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E1200
  • 21 CFR 172.841
  • EFSA dietary fibre opinion on polydextrose

INS 1200 · CAS 68424-04-4