INS 955 / E955SweetenerVegan

Sucralose (INS 955)

TL;DR

INS 955 is sucralose, an intense sweetener made from sugar by replacing three of its hydroxyl groups with chlorine. It is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and is used in diet drinks, sugar-free baking, and tabletop sweeteners. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories with restrictions.

Quick Facts

INS Number
955
E-Number
E955
Category
Sweetener
Veg Status
Vegan
FSSAI Status
Permitted with restrictions
JECFA ADI
0-15 mg/kg bw (1991)
Chemical Name
1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside

What is INS 955?

INS 955 is sucralose, an intense sweetener made from sugar by replacing three of its hydroxyl groups with chlorine. It is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and is used in diet drinks, sugar-free baking, and tabletop sweeteners.

Why brands add it

Brands use it because it is heat-stable (unlike aspartame, so it works in baking), tastes very close to sugar with no bitter aftertaste, and is intense enough that the dose needed is microscopic. It is the sweetener of choice for sugar-free baked goods.

Where you'll find it

INS 955 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:

  • diet and zero-sugar soft drinks
  • sugar-free baked goods
  • tabletop sweeteners
  • sugar-free yoghurts and desserts
  • sugar-free chocolates
  • no-added-sugar protein bars

Veg or non-veg? - Vegan

Sucralose is produced by chemical modification of sucrose (cane or beet sugar). No animal product is used in its manufacture.

FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation

FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a non-nutritive sweetener under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories with category-specific upper limits and mandatory label declarations such as 'Contains added sweetener'.

JECFA: ADI 0-15 mg/kg body weight established at the 37th JECFA (1991), based on long-term rat studies with a wide safety margin. EFSA's recent re-evaluation maintained the same ADI.

Also known as

On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 955 is also called:

955ins 955e955e 955sucralosetrichlorogalactosucrosesplenda

Frequently Asked Questions

Is INS 955 vegetarian?+
Vegan. Sucralose is produced by chemical modification of sucrose (cane or beet sugar). No animal product is used in its manufacture.
Is INS 955 permitted by FSSAI?+
Permitted by FSSAI as a non-nutritive sweetener under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories with category-specific upper limits and mandatory label declarations such as 'Contains added sweetener'.
What is INS 955 used for?+
Brands use it because it is heat-stable (unlike aspartame, so it works in baking), tastes very close to sugar with no bitter aftertaste, and is intense enough that the dose needed is microscopic. It is the sweetener of choice for sugar-free baked goods.
Is INS 955 (also written as E955) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 955 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E955 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (sucralose).

Sources

Last verified: 2026-04-29.

Regulatory status, not medical advice
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

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