My diet:

E953 Isomalt

E953SweetenersOrigin: Lab-made
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Every diet

VeganYes
Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoDepends

Barely raises blood sugar, but it's partly digested. Most people count about half its grams as carbs.

Full answer ›
Low-FODMAPNo

Isomalt is a polyol and high-FODMAP. Avoid it in the elimination phase.

The short answer
Isomalt (E953) is a sugar alcohol made from beet sugar, used in sugar-free hard candy and cake decorations. It barely raises blood sugar and doesn't cause cavities, but more than a few pieces can upset your stomach.
Use in moderation

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

E-numberE953
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesSweeteners
Glycemic index2
Daily limitNot set
Also calledIsomalt, Isomaltitol

Sugar-free sweets that are easier on the gut

Clean-label swaps
Clean grocery swap

Stevia-sweetened hard candy

Sugar-free candy without polyols.

Shop stevia candy Opens your country’s Amazon store
Clean substitute

Allulose sweetener

Melts and caramelizes like sugar, and isn't a polyol.

Shop allulose Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Isomalt nibs for sugar art

For cake decorators: clear, humidity-resistant sugar glass.

Shop isomalt nibs Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionWarning label required
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

GRAS in the US. In the EU, foods with more than 10% added polyols must carry the warning "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects." No daily limit has been set.

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

What is it?

Isomalt tastes about half as sweet as sugar and melts into a clear glass that doesn't absorb moisture. That makes it the favorite of sugar-free candy makers and cake decorators who build sugar sculptures.

Where it comes from: Made from beet sugar: enzymes rearrange the sugar, then it's hydrogenated into a sugar alcohol.

Why it’s in food

  • Sweetens sugar-free hard candy and lollipops
  • Makes clear, non-sticky sugar decorations
  • Doesn't cause tooth decay
  • Keeps blood sugar steady in diabetic sweets

Often found in

Sugar-free hard candySugar-free cough dropsCake decorations and sugar artSugar-free chocolateChewing gumDiabetic sweets

Also listed as: Isomalt, Isomaltitol, Hydrogenated isomaltulose, Palatinit, Sugar alcohol

Health & gut impact

DigestionConcern

Like other polyols, large amounts at once can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea, which is why the EU requires a laxative warning.

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III

TeethBenefit

Mouth bacteria can't ferment it into acid, so the EU allows a claim that it helps keep teeth healthy.

EFSA Journal (2011) 9(4):2076

What can I use instead?

Erythritol

Ratio: About 1:1

Best for: Baking, easier on the gut

Allulose

Ratio: About 1:1

Best for: Soft candy and caramel

Related

Is it keto-friendly?Isomalt vs Maltitol

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 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 safeAspartame E951Aspartame (E951) is a zero-calorie sweetener in diet soda. It's approved, but WHO's cancer agency called it "possibly carcinogenic" in 2023, and people with PKU must avoid it.Use in moderationErythritol E968Erythritol (E968) is a zero-calorie sugar alcohol popular in keto foods. A 2023 study linked high blood levels to heart risk, and large amounts can upset your stomach.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Isomalt safe?

Use in moderation (72/100). GRAS in the US. In the EU, foods with more than 10% added polyols must carry the warning "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects." No daily limit has been set.

Is Isomalt vegan?

Yes.

Is Isomalt gluten-free?

Yes.

Is isomalt safe for diabetics?

It has a very low glycemic index and barely raises blood sugar, so it's common in diabetic sweets. Count the calories, though: about half those of sugar.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E953
  • Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III
  • EFSA Journal (2011) 9(4):2076

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 953 · CAS 64519-82-0