Polydextrose · Soluble Fiber & Bulking Agent for Sugar-Reduced Foods
Polydextrose is a synthetic soluble dietary fiber used as a bulking agent, texturiser and calorie-management tool in a wide range of reduced-sugar and reduced-calorie beverages, bakery, confectionery, dairy and nutrition products. It allows formulators to replace part of the sugar or fat while maintaining body, mouthfeel and overall eating quality.
See more sugar-reduction tools in the Sweeteners product group or browse all ingredients in the Product Index (A–Z).
Polydextrose functionality & technical profile
Polydextrose is a randomly bonded glucose polymer produced by polymerisation of dextrose in the presence of sorbitol and citric acid (or similar catalysts). It behaves as a low-calorie carbohydrate with very low sweetness, delivering bulk and fiber with minimal impact on sweetness, taste and colour.
Key characteristics
- Soluble dietary fiber: contributes to fiber content and supports the development of fiber-enriched or reduced-sugar products, in line with local regulations.
- Very low sweetness: almost neutral in sweetness, allowing independent adjustment of sweetness with high-intensity sweeteners or sugars.
- Bulking & solids management: replaces sugar or part of the fat to maintain solids, body and mouthfeel in reduced-calorie formulations.
- Good solubility: dissolves in water across a wide temperature range, suitable for beverages, syrups and liquid systems.
- Process stability: generally stable under many heat-treatment, pH and storage conditions encountered in foods and beverages.
With its combination of fiber, bulk and low sweetness, polydextrose is especially useful for sugar-reduced, calorie-reduced and functional foods where sensory quality must be carefully preserved.
Indicative specification points
Atlas collaborates with experienced producers in China to offer food-grade polydextrose that meets your technical and regulatory expectations. Typical specification elements include:
- Appearance: white to off-white, free-flowing powder or granules.
- Polydextrose content within agreed specification, with controlled levels of residual sugars.
- Defined pH in solution, usually slightly acidic.
- Low moisture content to support stable shelf life and flowability.
- Microbiological criteria suitable for beverage, bakery, confectionery and nutrition applications.
Detailed specification sheets, test methods and COAs are shared and aligned with your internal QA/QC procedures during the qualification phase.
Polydextrose in beverages, bakery, confectionery & dairy
Polydextrose is widely used in beverages, bakery, confectionery, dairy and nutrition products as a soluble fiber and bulking agent. It helps formulators reduce sugar and calories while maintaining body, mouthfeel and process performance.
Beverages & liquid applications
- Reduced-sugar soft drinks and flavoured waters, where polydextrose contributes fiber and body while sweetness is provided by high-intensity sweeteners or sugar blends.
- Juice drinks and nectars, helping to adjust mouthfeel when fruit juice content or sugar is reduced.
- Functional and fiber-enriched beverages, including ready-to-drink nutrition beverages and dairy/plant-based drinks.
- Liquid concentrates and syrups that require solids build-up without excessive sweetness.
Bakery & cereal applications
- Reduced-sugar cakes, muffins and pastries, where polydextrose replaces part of sucrose while maintaining batter solids and moisture.
- Cookies and biscuits formulated for sugar reduction or fiber enrichment, with careful optimisation of texture and spread.
- Breakfast cereals and granola, contributing fiber and bulk in coating syrups or agglomerated systems.
- Nutrition and cereal bars, where polydextrose helps manage sweetness, texture and nutritional profile.
Confectionery, dairy & nutrition
- Reduced-sugar confectionery and gummies when used in combination with polyols and high-intensity sweeteners.
- Chocolate and compound coatings, where polydextrose can partially replace sugar or fat to reduce energy density (within technical limits).
- Yogurt, ice cream and frozen desserts, supporting fiber content and body while sugar or fat is reduced.
- Diet and clinical nutrition products, including powders and ready-to-drink formulas subject to specialist formulation and regulatory frameworks.
Formulation guidance
- Combine polydextrose with high-intensity sweeteners, sugar or polyols to independently adjust sweetness and energy content.
- Review total fiber, carbohydrate and energy labelling in line with destination market regulations.
- Consider water activity and viscosity when increasing polydextrose levels, especially in beverages and syrups.
- Conduct pilot trials to validate freeze–thaw stability, texture and flavour in frozen and chilled applications.
Building sugar-reduced systems with polydextrose
Atlas can help you design sugar- and calorie-reduced recipes using polydextrose in combination with high-intensity sweeteners, polyols and acids from our Product Groups. We work with your R&D and procurement teams to balance taste, cost and nutritional targets.
Discuss polydextrose with AtlasQuality, regulatory & supply chain support for polydextrose
Atlas Global Trading Co. cooperates with large-scale polydextrose manufacturers in China and manages global supply and documentation from Ankara, Türkiye, to support your reduced-sugar and fiber-enriched projects.
Quality & regulatory documentation
- Supplied as food-grade polydextrose with agreed specification parameters.
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) including polydextrose content, moisture, pH and microbiology.
- Supporting information on GMO status, allergens, contaminants and heavy metals available upon request.
- Producer certificates such as ISO, FSSC, Halal, Kosher may be available depending on the selected manufacturing site.
- Customers are responsible for nutritional claims, fiber claims and labelling in each market; Atlas ensures transparency of ingredient data to support those decisions.
Packaging, storage & logistics
- Standard packaging: 25 kg multi-ply bags with food-grade inner liner; alternative formats may be reviewed for specific projects.
- Suitable for mixed-container shipments together with sweeteners, acids, stabilisers and other Atlas ingredients.
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from moisture, strong odours and direct sunlight.
- Atlas organises shipments under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with full export documentation and, if needed, support for destination-country requirements.
Please share your target applications, desired fiber levels, annual volume, packaging needs and destination markets so we can propose the right polydextrose options and supply models.