What is lactitol?

As all poyols, lactitol is a sugar alcohol or hydrogenated carbohydrate. It is also known as sugar replacer, bulk sweetener or sugar-free sweetener. Because of incomplete absorption, lactitol only contributes with 2.4 kcal (9 kilojoules) per gram, compared to 4 kcal (17 kJ) per gram for typical carbohydrates. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lactitol as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).

In what products is the polyol lactitol used?

Polyol lactitol used in food applications

Lactitol (European safety number E 966 ; International number INS 966) is a versatile, reduced calorie sweetener derived from natural milk sugar, used in a wide variety of sweetening applications, such as low food energy or low fat foods. High stability makes it popular for baking. It is also used in sugar-free candies, cookies (biscuits), chocolate, and ice cream. See also Polyols – food applications

Polyol lactitol used in pharmaceutical applications

Lactitol is registered as a pharmaceutical product, and is marketed as a laxative to prevent or treat constipation. See also Polyols – pharmaceutical applications

Polyol lactitol used in cosmetics applications

See Polyols – Cosmetics applications