INS 965 is the code for maltitol
A sugar alcohol that tastes and behaves closer to sugar than sorbitol does, so it is the usual base of sugar-free chocolate.
- What it does
- Sweetens it A sweetener
- Also printed as
- Maltitol syrup · Hydrogenated maltose syrup
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 2 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 40 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 965 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 965 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cream and frozen desserts | 25% | |
| Sweets and candy | 25% | |
| Biscuits and cookies | 19% | |
| Chocolate | 11% | |
| Milk and dairy drinks | 8% | |
| Everything else | 11% |
Counted from the 40 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 965, 36 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 965?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
Not fully absorbed in the small intestine, so what is left ferments in the colon. Above roughly 10-20 g a day this causes bloating and a laxative effect; Indian labels on foods with more than 10 g per 100 g must carry an excess-consumption warning. It raises blood glucose less than sugar and does not feed tooth decay. Maltitol has a higher glycaemic effect than most other sugar alcohols - it is not glucose-neutral, which matters if the product is bought for diabetes.
Does Zabel mark INS 965 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 965?
INS 965 is the code for maltitol, a sweetener. A sugar alcohol that tastes and behaves closer to sugar than sorbitol does, so it is the usual base of sugar-free chocolate.
Is INS 965 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 965 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 965?
Not fully absorbed in the small intestine, so what is left ferments in the colon. Above roughly 10-20 g a day this causes bloating and a laxative effect; Indian labels on foods with more than 10 g per 100 g must carry an excess-consumption warning. It raises blood glucose less than sugar and does not feed tooth decay. Maltitol has a higher glycaemic effect than most other sugar alcohols - it is not glucose-neutral, which matters if the product is bought for diabetes.
Does Zabel mark INS 965 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 965 printed under?
Packs also print it as Maltitol syrup and Hydrogenated maltose syrup, or as the bare number 965 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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