E957 – Thaumatin | Allergy risk and natural sweetener uses

Quick analysis summary about E957 – Thaumatin food additive

Bottom line about E957

E957 is an intensely sweet protein used in very small amounts as a sweetener and flavour enhancer. It is graded GREEN – SAFE because exposure is low and repeated-dose evidence is reassuring.

Why this grade for E957

EFSA found no genotoxicity concern and no adverse effects in high-dose rat, dog or developmental studies [1]. Independent studies were reassuring, although long-term and human allergy evidence remain limited [2,3].

Who may want to limit or avoid E957

Most people need not avoid E957. People with a suspected reaction to thaumatin should be cautious, while workers handling airborne powder need respiratory controls because occupational rhinitis has been reported [4].

Common uses and where E957 appears

Thaumatin appears in chewing gum, confectionery, desserts, supplements, selected drinks and savoury products to add sweetness, improve flavour or mask bitterness.

E957 source or origin

Under the current EU specification, E957 is a natural extract from katemfe fruit. Some separately assessed products in other markets are produced through recombinant expression in plants.

Intake note for E957

EFSA considered a numerical ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) unnecessary [1]. JECFA currently assigns a group ADI not specified and found no concern at estimated exposure.

Is E957 banned anywhere?

E957 remains authorised in selected European Union food categories. In the United States, FDA has not questioned several GRAS conclusions for specified thaumatin products and uses, and no clear major food-use ban was identified in the reviewed jurisdictions.

Safety grading GREEN – SAFE

E957 is graded GREEN – SAFE at normal food-use levels. Thaumatin is used in tiny quantities, is digested as a protein and has a large safety margin between estimated intake and doses without adverse effects. The main caveat is that rare oral allergy cannot be excluded confidently.

Study basis or key toxicological reasoning for E957

EFSA found no adverse effects in subchronic rat and dog studies at the highest tested doses of up to 5,200 and 1,476 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. A prenatal rat study also found no developmental effects at up to 2,000 mg/kg body weight per day, and the Panel found no genotoxicity concern [1]. In a published 13-week rat study, diets containing up to 3% irradiated or non-irradiated thaumatin produced no treatment-related clinical, blood, organ-weight or microscopic changes. The reported No Observed Adverse Effect Levels were approximately 2,502 mg/kg body weight per day in males and 2,889 mg/kg per day in females [3]. Earlier safety testing and limited human exposure were also broadly reassuring [2]. The direct human database is small, no chronic toxicity, reproductive-toxicity or carcinogenicity studies were available, and oral allergenicity remains uncertain [1,5].

Side effects of E957 – Thaumatin food additive

No expected effect at normal intake. Regulatory and animal evidence does not identify a recurring toxic effect at permitted food-use levels [1-3].
No characteristic laxative effect. Thaumatin is a protein rather than a sugar alcohol, and no consistent diarrhoea or gastrointestinal pattern has been identified.
Rare oral allergy remains uncertain. Human evidence is too limited to exclude uncommon protein-allergy reactions confidently [1,5].
Occupational inhalation risk. Four of eight workers exposed to a powder containing thaumatin and gum arabic developed pronounced rhinitis, and all four reacted to pure thaumatin in skin testing [4]. This exposure is not comparable with eating tiny food-use amounts.
Unusually high intake. No characteristic toxic effect has been established, but human evidence at intake far above permitted food use is limited, and the lingering sweetness may become more noticeable.

Should You Avoid E957 – Thaumatin food additive?

Most consumers do not need to avoid E957. Estimated exposure is very low, the additive is digested as a protein and high-dose studies are reassuring. People with a suspected reaction to thaumatin or another sweet protein should discuss avoidance with an allergy professional rather than relying on self-diagnosis. Workers who handle dry thaumatin powder require suitable dust controls and respiratory protection. Ordinary consumption in chewing gum, confectionery or other permitted foods is not equivalent to repeated workplace inhalation.

Common uses of E957 – Thaumatin food additive

Chewing gum and breath-freshening products. Thaumatin adds sweetness and helps extend flavour perception.
Confectionery and chocolate products. It can strengthen sweetness and mask bitter or metallic notes.
Desserts and edible ices. Very small amounts provide intense sweetness with negligible energy contribution.
Food supplements and table-top products. It improves sweetness in tablets, powders and syrups.
Selected drinks and fermented products. Use depends on the applicable food category and jurisdiction.
Sauces and savoury snacks. Thaumatin may be used as a flavour enhancer rather than mainly as a sweetener.

Common names and synonyms of E957 – Thaumatin food additive

Thaumatin
E957
INS 957
Talin
Katemfe sweetener
Thaumatin I and thaumatin II mixture
Sweet protein from Thaumatococcus daniellii

What is E957 – Thaumatin food additive?

E957 is a mixture of intensely sweet proteins. Under the current European Union specification, it is obtained by acidic water extraction from the arils surrounding the seeds of the West African katemfe fruit, Thaumatococcus daniellii. The extract consists mainly of thaumatin I and thaumatin II with smaller amounts of other plant material.

Thaumatin is roughly 2,000 to 3,000 times sweeter than sucrose by weight, although perceived sweetness depends on concentration and the food matrix. Its sweetness develops more slowly and lasts longer than sugar. Manufacturers therefore use it both as an intense sweetener and as a flavour enhancer that can mask bitterness or extend desirable flavours.

After ingestion, thaumatin is broken down like other dietary proteins into peptides and amino acids. It does not behave like a persistent artificial sweetener or a laxative polyol. Some separately evaluated products outside the present EU specification are produced by recombinant expression in plants. Those products may have the same principal protein sequence, but their manufacturing process and impurity profile are assessed separately.

Where is E957 – Thaumatin food additive allowed (EU vs US)?

In the European Union, E957 is authorised in selected food categories under category-specific maximum levels or quantum satis conditions. In the United States, FDA has issued no-questions responses to several GRAS notices for specified natural or plant-produced thaumatin products under their intended conditions of use. Codex, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also permit thaumatin in defined food uses.

E957 – Thaumatin