Maltitol is the sweetener the food industry lists as E965. 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: After a full assessment of the reliability and relevance of available genotoxicity studies, EFSA stated that 'the need for additional genotoxicity data of maltitols (E 965 i,ii) has been identified', citing the lack of a fully reliable in vitro micronucleus test (EFSA Call for data on genotoxicity data on maltitol (E 965 i), published 2023-01-24, deadline 2023-07-24 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-maltitol-e-965-i))
- 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 113 of the 10,000 packaged foods scanned most on Open Food Facts, most often in cookies, chocolate and breakfast cereals. Nine in ten of those foods are sold in Europe (counted 26 Sep 2026).
- 2 citations from EFSA, each one below.
What Maltitol 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. Maltitol 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 maltitol (E 965 i), published 2023-01-24, deadline 2023-07-24 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-maltitol-e-965-i)
After a full assessment of the reliability and relevance of available genotoxicity studies, EFSA stated that 'the need for additional genotoxicity data of maltitols (E 965 i,ii) has been identified', citing the lack of a fully reliable in vitro micronucleus test. -
EFSA
Europe PMC query of EFSA Journal re-evaluation opinions for E 420/421/953/965/967 (executed 2026-08-10)
No completed EFSA re-evaluation opinion exists for maltitols; EU status rests on the pre-2009 SCF acceptance with no numerical ADI, plus the Reg. (EU) 1169/2011 laxative warning for foods with more than 10% added polyols.
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 Maltitol (E965) 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: After a full assessment of the reliability and relevance of available genotoxicity studies, EFSA stated that 'the need for additional genotoxicity data of maltitols (E 965 i,ii) has been identified', citing the lack of a fully reliable in vitro micronucleus test (EFSA Call for data on genotoxicity data on maltitol (E 965 i), published 2023-01-24, deadline 2023-07-24 (efsa.europa.eu/en/call/call-data-genotoxicity-data-maltitol-e-965-i)).
What is E965?
E965 is the E number for Maltitol, a sweetener. Open Food Facts tags it en:e965.
Next to it on the label
The E numbers either side of E965 in our table, then the closest sweeteners by number.
- Steviol glycosides (E960), low risk, flagged for young children
- Neotame (E961), low risk
- Salt of aspartame-acesulfame (E962), moderate risk
- Xylitol (E967), moderate risk
- Erythritol (E968), high risk, flagged for young children
- Advantame (E969), no risk identified