Title: Alternative Sweeteners

Polydextrose 515
B. International
The use of polydextrose in foods has received approval in numerous countries
(41). Numerous national and supranational expert groups have assessed polydextrose.
Without exception, it was concluded that polydextrose is safe for human
use. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
and the EU Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) allocated an acceptable daily
intake (ADI) of ‘‘not specified’’ in 1987 and 1990, respectively.
Polydextrose has been approved as a Miscellaneous Food Additive by the
European Union and may be used at quantum satis levels. Polydextrose is listed
as E1200.
Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) recognizes polydextrose
as a food. Polydextrose also conforms to the generally accepted Japanese definition
of dietary fiber. An energy value of 1 kcal/g is accepted.
Polydextrose is approved for food use in confectionery, chewing gum, custard
powder/mix, dairy-based desserts, dairy ice mix, dessert mix, frozen/ice confection,
reduced/low-fat ice-cream, and yogurt in Australia and New Zealand.
An energy value of 1 kcal/g is accepted.
To date polydextrose is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide.
X. LABELING
When polydextrose is used in foods for special dietary purposes such as reducedcalorie
foods, it must be labeled in accordance with 21 CFR Part 105. Should a
single serving of food contain more than 15 g of polydextrose, the label must
read: ‘‘Sensitive individuals may experience a laxative effect from excessive consumption
of this product.’’
For nutritional labeling, polydextrose should be included in the carbohydrate
section of the Nutrition Facts Panel. It may also optionally be included
below ‘‘Total Carbohydrate’’ under ‘‘Other Carbohydrate.’’ The calorie content
of 1 kcal/g is used when determining total calories per serving. Use of polydextrose
may be taken into consideration when contemplating comparative nutrient
content claims such as ‘‘light,’’ ‘‘low calorie,’’ ‘‘reduced sugar,’’ ‘‘sugar-free,’’
and/or ‘‘no added sugar’’ under 21 CFR 101.60.
‘‘Polydextrose’’ is the officially recognized name and should appear as
such in the ingredients list.
REFERENCES
1. 21 CFR 172.841, 46 FR 30080 (June 5, 1981), Food Additive Petition No. 9A3441.
2. HH Rennhard (Pfizer). Dietetic foods, U.S. Patent 3,876,794, 1975.