My diet:

Tapioca syrup

No E-numberSweetenersOrigin: Plant
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Every diet

VeganYes

Tapioca syrup is hydrolyzed cassava starch.

Gluten-freeYes

Cassava is not a gluten grain.

HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoNo

Tapioca syrup is a glucose syrup.

Low-FODMAPYes

The sugars are glucose chains.

The short answer
Tapioca syrup is cassava starch turned into a glucose syrup. It is vegan, gluten-free and not keto. Bars use it as a glue that sets as it cools.
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 calledTapioca syrup, Cassava syrup

Rules by country

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

Tapioca syrup is a food sweetener, not an E-number. It is the cassava version of a glucose syrup. The US, the EU and Canada treat it as a food. Food-grade tapioca starch is processed so the cyanide-releasing compounds of bitter cassava are not what ends up in the syrup.

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

What is it?

Tapioca syrup is clear to amber and less sweet than sugar. It behaves like corn syrup in a candy pot, without the corn.

Where it comes from: Tapioca syrup is starch from the cassava root, split with enzymes into glucose and short glucose chains. The root is the same one that becomes tapioca pearls. Proper processing of cassava removes the cyanogenic glycosides the raw root can hold.

Why it’s in food

  • Binds granola bars
  • Replaces corn syrup in a corn-free recipe
  • Keeps a chewy candy soft
  • Sweetens a nut butter

Often found in

Granola barsChewy candyNut buttersBaby snacksVegan marshmallowsFruit snacks

Also listed as: Tapioca syrup, Cassava syrup, Tapioca glucose syrup

Health & gut impact

A glucose syrupConcern

Tapioca syrup is cassava starch broken into glucose. It raises blood sugar the way other glucose syrups do.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of tapioca starch

Cassava processingBenefit

Bitter cassava can release cyanide if it is eaten raw. Food-grade tapioca is peeled, soaked and cooked before it becomes starch or syrup.

Codex and food-safety descriptions of edible cassava

What can I use instead?

Corn syrup

Ratio: Use the same spoon

Best for: A glucose syrup when corn is fine

Brown rice syrup

Ratio: Expect a maltier taste

Best for: Another grain-free or grain syrup

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 tapioca syrup gluten-free?

Yes. Cassava is a root, not wheat, barley or rye.

Does tapioca syrup contain cyanide?

Food-grade tapioca is processed to remove the compounds that can release cyanide from raw bitter cassava.

Is Tapioca syrup safe?

Use in moderation (58/100). Tapioca syrup is a food sweetener, not an E-number. It is the cassava version of a glucose syrup. The US, the EU and Canada treat it as a food. Food-grade tapioca starch is processed so the cyanide-releasing compounds of bitter cassava are not what ends up in the syrup.

Is Tapioca syrup vegan?

Yes. Tapioca syrup is hydrolyzed cassava starch.

Is Tapioca syrup gluten-free?

Yes. Cassava is not a gluten grain.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • Enzymatic hydrolysis of tapioca starch
  • Codex and food-safety descriptions of edible cassava