Polydextrose is produced synthetically from glucose, sorbitol (E 420) and citric acid (E 330). The chain-shaped, sugar-like, long-chain molecule cannot be broken down by digestive enzymes and has a laxative effect on the human organism from a single dose of about 50 g or a daily dose of about 90 g.
The chain-like, sugar-like, long-chain molecule is authorised as a food additive in the EU under the number E 1200 without any maximum quantity restriction.