My diet:

E966 Lactitol

E966SweetenersOrigin: Animal
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Every diet

VeganNo

Made from milk sugar, so it is not vegan.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalDepends

Depends on whether the milk came from halal-slaughtered animals.

KosherDepends

Dairy-derived, so kosher only with a dairy certification.

KetoDepends

It raises blood sugar less than sugar, but still adds some carbs.

Low-FODMAPNo

It is a polyol, which can cause gas and bloating.

The short answer
Lactitol (E966) is a sugar alcohol made from milk sugar that tastes sweet with few calories. It is not vegan, and it can cause bloating and loose stools in larger amounts.
Use in moderation

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

E-numberE966
Comes fromAnimal
What it doesSweeteners
Glycemic index3
Daily limitNot set
Also calledMilk sugar alcohol, E966

Rules by country

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

Approved in the US, EU and Canada as a bulk sweetener and sugar replacement. It is also used as a laxative in medicine, which is why large amounts act on the bowel.

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

What is it?

Lactitol is produced by turning lactose into a sugar alcohol. The body absorbs it slowly, so it raises blood sugar less than table sugar, but a part reaches the large intestine and can ferment there.

Where it comes from: Made by hydrogenating lactose, the sugar in milk. The finished powder holds no milk protein, but it does come from a dairy sugar.

Why it’s in food

  • Replaces sugar in sugar-free chocolate
  • Adds bulk and sweetness to baked goods
  • Stops ice cream from crystallizing
  • Works in diabetic-friendly sweets

Often found in

Sugar-free chocolateDiabetic sweetsSugar-free baked goodsIce creamChewing gum

Also listed as: Milk sugar alcohol, E966

Health & gut impact

Laxative effectConcern

It draws water into the gut. Large amounts loosen stools, which is why it is used as a laxative in medicine.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

Sugar-free baking without the bloating

Clean-label swaps
Low-sugar

Erythritol sweetener granules

A sugar alcohol that most people digest more easily than lactitol.

Shop erythritol Opens your country’s Amazon store
Stevia blend

Stevia and erythritol baking blend

A 1:1 sugar replacement for cakes and cookies.

Shop stevia baking blend Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry

Monk fruit sweetener

A plant-based sweetener with no sugar alcohol bulk.

Shop monk fruit sweetener Opens your country’s Amazon store

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes our ratings.

What can I use instead?

Erythritol

Ratio: 1:1 by weight

Best for: Baking and sugar-free sweets

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 safeAlluloseAllulose 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 moderation

Common questions

Is lactitol vegan?

No. It is made from milk sugar, so it is not suitable for a vegan diet.

Why does lactitol cause bloating?

It is a polyol that is only partly absorbed. The rest ferments in the large intestine, which can cause gas and loose stools.

Is Lactitol safe?

Use in moderation (66/100). Approved in the US, EU and Canada as a bulk sweetener and sugar replacement. It is also used as a laxative in medicine, which is why large amounts act on the bowel.

Is Lactitol vegan?

No. Made from milk sugar, so it is not vegan.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E966
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

INS 966 · CAS 81025-04-9