Sugar Free Dental Properties Lactitol is noncariogenic. It is not fermented by the oral micro flora, so its consumption does not lead to Lactitol, Bulk Sweetener for the formation of acids that deminer- alize the tooth enamel. Also, the building up of tooth plaque is much less for lactitol-containing hard can- dies when compared to sugar. Its Sugar Free and Reduced noncariogenic properties have been shown in various clinical trials (Grenby and Desai, 1988; Grenby, 1989; Grenby and Phillips, 1989; Grenby et al., 1989; van der Calories Hard Candy Hoeven, 1986). REGULATORY ASPECTS A self-affirmation petition for the Generally Recognized as Safe status of lactitol, submitted by Purac, was his paper will discuss the prop- intense sweetener like aspartame or accepted for filing by the Food and Terties, regulatory aspects, and acesulfame-K. The taste, sweetening power, and Drug Administration in September applications of lactitol in hard can- 1993. The safety of lactitol has been dies. Lactitol is a disaccharide sugar profile of such sweetener combina- tions are very close to those of substantiated by numerous animal alcohol made from lactose by cat- and human studies. This safety alytic hydrogenation. sucrose. Its clean sweet taste allows a superb flavor release. research has been reviewed by sev- eral international authoritative bod- BENEFITS OF LACTITOL Reduced Calories ies (JEFCA, 1983; EEC, 1984). The Taste The FDA allows the use of a self- joint FAO/WHO Committee on Lactitol has a clean, sweet, sugar- determined value of 2.0 kilocalorie Food Additives has approved lacti- like taste without an aftertaste. The per gram for lactitol. Purac’s GRAS tol. It has been approved for use in sweetness of lactitol is approximate- Affirmation Petition contains data food stuffs in Japan, Australia, ly 40 percent that of sugar. In most and information in support of this Canada and a number of European applications, e.g., hard candy, it can energy value. As sugars normally countries. be used in conjunction with an have 4 kcal/g, the net energy contri- bution of lactitol is therefore only APPLICATIONS IN SUGAR 50 percent. FREE HARD CANDY A basic formula for a lactitol- Suitable for Diabetics based hard candy is given in Table 1. Several clinical trials (Zaal and Strictly speaking, it is a rather Ottenhof, 1977; Doorenbos, 1977) simple formula: lactitol, maltitol have shown that its consumption syrup, acid, intense sweetener, color does not increase blood glucose or and flavor. The lactitol can be dis- insulin levels (Figure 1). solved into the syrup and no addi- Together with its reduced-calorie tional water is required. value, lactitol fits into the diet of The cooking temperatures are individuals with diabetes because higher than those for a sucrose- Paul Mesters they especially have to watch their based hard candy. After cooking, Purac America, Inc. intake of sugars and calories. this mass will contain only about 2 Presented at the National American Association of Candy Technologists Technical Session The Manufacturing Confectioner/November 1995 61.