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. 2009 Dec 14;7(12):1413. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1413

Scientific Opinion on the use of Polyglycitol Syrup as a food additive

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS)
PMCID: PMC11926627  PMID: 40123699

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission (EC), the Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of polyglycitol syrup when used as a food additive. Polyglycitol syrup belongs to the hydrogenated starch hydrolysate syrups composed of maltitol, sorbitol and higher molecular weight polyols. In contrast to maltitol syrup EU specifications, the polyglycitol syrup has a defined concentration of sorbitol, a lower concentration of maltitol and a defined concentration of higher molecular weight polyols. Consequently, it is not covered by specifications for maltitol syrup which is an EU authorised food additive. In humans, the main reported adverse effect specifically associated with polyglycitol syrup exposure was gastric disturbance. The Panel considers that conservative estimates of the exposure to polyglycitol syrup, for consumer‐only and the general population, arising from the proposed uses and use‐levels, are close to, and for children even higher than, doses associated with gastric disturbances when administered as bolus doses in human trials and as reported in recent case reports.

Keywords: Food additive, Polyglycitol Syrup, CAS Registry Number 68425–17‐2

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) ; Scientific Opinion on the use of Polyglycitol Syrup as a food additive on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009;7(12):1413. [21 pp.]. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1413.

Panel members: F. Aguilar, U.R. Charrondiere, B. Dusemund, P. Galtier, J. Gilbert, D.M. Gott, S. Grilli, R. Guertler, J. Koenig, C. Lambré, J‐C. Larsen, J‐C. Leblanc, A. Mortensen, D. Parent‐Massin, I. Pratt, I.M.C.M. Rietjens, I. Stankovic, P. Tobback, T. Verguieva, R.A. Woutersen

Correspondence: unit-ANS@efsa.europa.eu

Acknowledgement: The Panel wishes to thank the members of the Working Group on Additives of the former Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) for the preparation of this opinion: D. Boskou, D. Gott, K. Hulshof, C. Leclercq, W. Mennes, D. Parent‐Massin, I. Pratt, I.M.C.M. Rietjens, P. Tobback, G. Speijers, F. Toldra.

Adoption date: 24 November 2009

Published date: 14 December 2009

Question number: EFSA‐Q‐2007‐072

On request from: European Commission

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