E 959 - Neohesperidine DC | E-Number Information

Characteristics

Additive NameNeohesperidine DC

E No.E 959

TypeIndividual Substance

In plain language

A synthetic sweetener derived from a natural compound found in bitter oranges — chemically modified to become intensely sweet, roughly 400–1800 times sweeter than sugar. Used in tiny amounts across a wide range of foods: dairy desserts, ice cream, jams, chocolate, chewing gum, and pickled vegetables. Approved by EFSA and considered safe at permitted levels. It has a distinct liquorice-like aftertaste, which limits how widely it's used. Often blended with other sweeteners to mask this. No major health controversies, but like most intense sweeteners, it contributes zero calories.

Conditions of Use

This additive is authorised to be used in the following 37 food categories:

4.2.4.1fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced

7.2Fine bakery wares

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only cornets and wafers, for ice-cream, with no added sugar

1.4flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products

Maximum Level = 50 mg/L

only energy-reduced products or with no added sugar

2.2.2Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions

Maximum Level = 5 mg/kg

only as flavour enhancer, only in the fat groups B & C in Annex XV to Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007

3edible ices

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

16Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.2fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine

Maximum Level = 100 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves of fruit and vegetables

4.2.3canned or bottled fruit and vegetables

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only fruit energy-reduced or with no added sugar

4.2.5jam jellies and marmalades and similar products

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades

5.1Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/EC

Maximum Level = 100 mg/kg

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.3chewing gum

Maximum Level = 150 mg/kg

only with added sugar or polyols, as flavour enhancer

Footnote 12: If E 950, E 951, E 955, E 957, E 959 and E 961 are used in combination in chewing gum, the maximum level for each is reduced proportionally

6.3breakfast cereals

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only breakfast cereals with a fibre content of more than 15 %, and containing at least 20 % bran, energy reduced or with no added sugar

8.3.1Non-heat-treated processed meat

Maximum Level = 5 mg/kg

as flavour enhancer only

8.3.2Heat-treated processed meat

Maximum Level = 5 mg/kg

as flavour enhancer only, except for foie gras, foie gras entier, blocs de foie gras, Libamáj, libamáj egészben, libamáj tömbben

9.2Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans

Maximum Level = 30 mg/kg

only sweet-sour preserves and semi-preserves of fish and marinades of fish, crustaceans and molluscs

11.4.1table-top sweeteners in liquid form

Quantum satis (no max)

11.4.2table-top sweeteners in powder form

Quantum satis (no max)

11.4.3table-top sweeteners in tablets

Quantum satis (no max)

12.4Mustard

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

12.6Sauces

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

15.1Potato- cereal- flour- or starch-based snacks

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

15.2Processed nuts

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

12.5Soups and broths

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced soups

12.7Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only Feinkostsalat

12.9Protein products excluding products covered in category 1 8

Maximum Level = 5 mg/kg

only vegetable protein products, only as flavour enhancer

14.2.3Cider and perry

Maximum Level = 20 mg/L

excluding cydr jakościowy, perry jakościowe, cydr lodowy, perry lodowe

14.2.8Other alcoholic beverages including mixtures of alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages and other alcoholic beverages based on distilled alcohol with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 %

Maximum Level = 30 mg/L

4.2.5.1Extra jam and extra jelly as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades

4.2.5.3other similar fruit or vegetable spreads

Maximum Level = 50 mg/kg

only energy-reduced fruit or vegetable spreads and dried-fruit-based sandwich spreads, energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.2Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets

Maximum Level = 100 mg/kg

only cocoa or dried fruit based, energy-reduced or with no added sugar

5.4Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4

Maximum Level = 150 mg/kg

only starch-based confectionery, energy-reduced or with no added sugar

14.2.1beer and malt beverages

Maximum Level = 10 mg/L

only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; 'Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer' (original wort content less than 6 %) except for 'Obergäriges Einfachbier'; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the 'oud bruin' type

17.1food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’,

Maximum Level = 100 mg/kg

17.2food supplements supplied in a liquid form excluding food supplements for Infants and young children

Maximum Level = 50 mg/L

18.2Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012

= 100 mg/kg

14.1.4Flavoured_drinks

Maximum Level = 30 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar, except milk and milk derivative based flavoured drinks

14.1.3Fruit nectars as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable nectars and similar products

Maximum Level = 30 mg/L

only energy-reduced or with no added sugar

Source

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