Isomalt is the sweetener the food industry lists as E953. In our table it is moderate risk: it takes 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100).
- The key finding, from EFSA: Isomalt (E 953) is named among the sweeteners for which additional genotoxicity information was identified as needed, basic battery: bacterial reverse mutation (OECD TG 471) and in vitro micronucleus (OECD TG 487) (EFSA Call for data on genotoxicity data on sweeteners, 2021-06-30 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-sweeteners))
- No child flag. The class, and the points it costs, are the same for a child of any age.
- Where you meet it. It turns up in 15 of the 10,000 packaged foods scanned most on Open Food Facts, most often in cookies and cereal bars. Nine in ten of those foods are sold in Europe (counted 26 Sep 2026).
- 2 citations from EFSA, each one below.
What Isomalt does to a score
A packaged food's additive subscore starts at 100 and loses points for each additive on the label; that subscore is a third of the final score. Isomalt takes 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100). Scan the pack in Sito and the score you get is the one for your own child's age, with this additive named in the reasons. How we score has the whole method.
See what is in your own cupboard
Scan a packaged food and Sito names the additives in it, then scores the product out of 100 for your child's age.
What the sources found
Every classification in our table comes from the citations below, and nothing else. Each finding is our one-line summary of what the source concluded, with the source and reference beside it.
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EFSA
Call for data on genotoxicity data on sweeteners, 2021-06-30 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-sweeteners)
Isomalt (E 953) is named among the sweeteners for which additional genotoxicity information was identified as needed — basic battery: bacterial reverse mutation (OECD TG 471) and in vitro micronucleus (OECD TG 487). -
EFSA
Europe PMC query of EFSA Journal for polyol re-evaluation opinions (executed 2026-08-10)
No EFSA re-evaluation opinion for isomalt exists; erythritol (E 968) remains the only completed polyol re-evaluation, so isomalt's EU status is still the pre-2009 SCF acceptance with no numerical ADI.
Why this class
IARC Group 2B; or an EFSA re-evaluation that flagged genotoxicity data gaps, found safety could not be assessed on the available data, or cut the ADI citing child exposure; or an EU harmonised classification of the substance as a reproductive or developmental hazard; or an EU withdrawal of one authorised food use while others remain; or an OEHHA/Proposition 65 listing; or membership of the Southampton-six colourants.
Our confidence in this row's classification is medium. Medium or low does not mean the evidence is weak; it means something about the row is still being pinned down, usually a regulatory status confirmed from one source rather than two.
Questions parents ask
Is Isomalt (E953) safe for kids?
Moderate risk. In Sito it takes 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100). The finding we rely on: Isomalt (E 953) is named among the sweeteners for which additional genotoxicity information was identified as needed, basic battery: bacterial reverse mutation (OECD TG 471) and in vitro micronucleus (OECD TG 487) (EFSA Call for data on genotoxicity data on sweeteners, 2021-06-30 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-sweeteners)).
What is E953?
E953 is the E number for Isomalt, a sweetener. Open Food Facts tags it en:e953.
Next to it on the label
The E numbers either side of E953 in our table, then the closest sweeteners by number.
- Acesulfame K (E950), no risk identified
- Aspartame (E951), moderate risk
- Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts (E952), high risk
- Saccharin and its salts (E954), moderate risk
- Sucralose (E955), low risk
- Steviol glycosides (E960), low risk, flagged for young children