What is E966?

Lactitol is a disaccharide sugar alcohol produced from lactose. It is used as a replacement bulk sweetener for low calorie foods with 30–40% of the sweetness of sucrose. E966 sits in the E900–E999 series, which in the EU classification mainly covers glazing agents, gases and sweeteners.

What is E966 used for?

E966 belongs to the sweeteners group. Sweeteners (such as aspartame and sucralose) add sweetness with little or no calories. They are approved but widely discussed.

Is E966 safe?

E966 is considered safe at the levels used in food and is approved for use in the EU. “Safe” means it is approved in the EU and regarded as safe at the levels used in food.

How E966 appears on labels

On food packaging you'll find E966 either as the number “E966” or by the name “Lactitol” in the ingredient list, often after its function. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so an additive near the end is present only in small amounts.

Is E966 vegan?

Yes, E966 is suitable for vegans.