Is E965 (Maltitol) Halal?
Generally halal
E965 (Maltitol) is a sugar alcohol made from plant starch, with no animal origin, so it is generally considered halal.
What is E965?
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sugar replacement in sugar-free and reduced-sugar sweets and chocolate. It is made from starch, typically corn or wheat.
Produced by hydrogenating maltose derived from plant starch. No animal-derived raw materials.
Why is it generally halal?
Maltitol is made from plant starch with no animal or intoxicating-alcohol component, so it is generally classified as halal. As always, the finished product still needs its own verification.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Sugar-free chocolate and sweets
- Reduced-sugar baked goods
- Chewing gum
- Diabetic foods
How it appears on labels
MaltitolMaltitol syrupE965Sweetener (E965)INS number: 965
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
Ingredient guidance is not certification. Verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register or with the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E965 (maltitol) halal?
Yes — it is a sugar alcohol made from plant starch with no animal origin, so it is generally considered halal. It is not an intoxicating alcohol.
Is maltitol from animals?
No. It is produced from plant starch (usually corn or wheat).
What names should I look for?
'Maltitol', 'Maltitol syrup' or 'E965'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of maltitol (E 965) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Plant-starch origin
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · Approved uses and INS number
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Singapore halal verification process
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.