E458 - Gamma-Cyclodextrine

At a glance

• What it is: a cyclic carbohydrate (eight glucose units) made from starch.
• What it does: stabiliser and thickener; encapsulates and protects flavors, aromas, and some nutrients.
• Where you’ll see it: clear beverages, flavor powders, confectionery, dairy drinks, bakery fillings, and some dietary supplements.
• Label names: “E458,” “gamma-cyclodextrin,” or “Gamma-Cyclodextrine.”
• Nutrition note: neutral taste; counts as carbohydrate; used in small amounts.
• Status: approved as a food additive in the European Union.

Why is Gamma-Cyclodextrine added to food?

Manufacturers use Gamma-Cyclodextrine because its ring-shaped structure can host small molecules—like aromas, flavors, and some lipids—forming “inclusion complexes” that protect delicate ingredients and help control taste and smell release.¹ This can reduce bitterness, keep flavors from fading, improve solubility of some oily components, and help products stay clear and stable over time.¹

At higher use levels, it may also contribute a mild thickening or stabilising effect, supporting texture in mixes, fillings, and beverages.

What foods contain Gamma-Cyclodextrine?

You’re most likely to find E458 in:

• Clear soft drinks and flavored waters to protect aromas and maintain clarity
• Powdered drink mixes and instant flavors
• Confectionery and chewing gum for flavor control
• Dairy drinks, puddings, and creamy fillings for stability
• Flavor emulsions and encapsulated vitamin or aroma systems

On labels, look for “E458,” “gamma-cyclodextrin,” or “Gamma-Cyclodextrine.”

What can replace Gamma-Cyclodextrine?

There’s no one-size-fits-all substitute; the best replacement depends on the job it’s doing.

• For encapsulating flavors or improving solubility:
  • Alpha-Cyclodextrine or Beta-Cyclodextrine can sometimes stand in, though each has different cavity size and performance.
  • Acacia gum or modified starches are common carriers for spray-dried flavors.
• For stabilising and thickening:
  • Xanthan gum, sodium alginate, or pectin are widely used texture agents.

How is Gamma-Cyclodextrine made?

E458 is produced from food starch (often maize or potato) using enzymes. First, cyclodextrin-forming enzymes convert starch into a mixture of ring-shaped molecules. Then the gamma fraction is separated, purified (e.g., filtration, crystallisation), and dried to specification.²

Is Gamma-Cyclodextrine safe to eat?

In the European Union, Gamma-Cyclodextrine is an authorised food additive (E458) with published purity specifications and conditions of use.³² EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has evaluated gamma-cyclodextrin and concluded it is safe for its intended uses in food, noting it is handled by the body as a carbohydrate.¹

As with other approved additives, manufacturers must use no more than necessary to achieve the desired effect.³

Does Gamma-Cyclodextrine have any benefits?

For foods and drinks, E458 helps:

• Keep flavors and aromas stable and consistent over shelf life
• Improve clarity and reduce haze in beverages
• Mask bitter or harsh notes without adding sweetness
• Protect sensitive nutrients and aromas during processing and storage¹

These effects can allow cleaner taste, better aroma retention, and more stable products.

Who should avoid Gamma-Cyclodextrine?

• People tracking carbohydrate intake (for example, on very low-carb diets) may want to consider the small carbohydrate contribution from E458, especially in products with multiple carbohydrate sources.
• Anyone who has been advised to restrict certain carbohydrates should check with a healthcare professional if unsure about specific products.
• As with any ingredient, discontinue a product if you notice an unusual reaction and discuss with a professional.

Myths & facts

• Myth: “Gamma-Cyclodextrine is an artificial sweetener.”
  Fact: It is not a sweetener; it is a carbohydrate-based stabiliser and carrier with a neutral taste.

• Myth: “It’s a preservative that kills germs.”
  Fact: E458 does not act as an antimicrobial preservative; it stabilises flavors and textures.

• Myth: “It contains gluten.”
  Fact: Although made from starch, the purified additive does not contain gluten proteins.

• Myth: “It’s only used in pills.”
  Fact: Cyclodextrins are used in both foods and pharmaceuticals; E458 is widely used in foods for flavor and stability.

Gamma-Cyclodextrine in branded foods

You’ll usually spot it on ingredient lists as “E458” or “gamma-cyclodextrin.” It appears most often in flavored beverages, powdered drink mixes, candies and chewing gum, dairy drinks and desserts, and in products that carry delicate aromas or added vitamins. If a product highlights “stable flavor,” “clear” or “no haze,” or “protected aroma,” E458 (or a similar carrier) may be helping behind the scenes.

References

Footnotes

1. Scientific Opinion of the NDA Panel on the safety of gamma-cyclodextrin as a novel food ingredient — EFSA. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32012R0231 ↩ ↩²

3. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (Annexes on authorised uses) — EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R1333 ↩ ↩²