Tagatose
Tagatose suppliers and sourcing guide
Tagatose is a monosaccharide, a ketohexose that differs from fructose in the arrangement at one carbon, found in small amounts in dairy products and some fruits. Commercial D-tagatose has been made from lactose by splitting it to galactose and converting the galactose to tagatose, and newer processes use enzyme cascades from other sugar sources. It is purified and crystallized and sold mainly as a white crystalline bulk sweetener that browns readily in baking.
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Also known as
- D-tagatose · rare sugar · CAS 87-81-0
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of tagatose
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Crystalline
Dry crystals for baked goods, confectionery, cereals and dry mixes.
Powder
Milled fine grade for beverage powders, coatings and tablets.
Sweetener blends
Tagatose combined with high-intensity sweeteners or other bulk sweeteners such as erythritol or allulose.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Assay (HPLC)
- D-tagatose on a dry basis by HPLC, with other sugars (galactose, fructose, lactose or glucose depending on the process) reported.
- Loss on drying
- Moisture by loss on drying or Karl Fischer.
- Color and ash
- Solution color and sulfated ash, since tagatose browns readily and residual salts can carry over from processing.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and other metals by ICP-MS against the FCC or supplier limit.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms and pathogens such as Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store tagatose sealed in a cool, dry area; it can absorb moisture and cake, and color can develop with heat over time. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of assay, moisture and color for aged stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Record the assay and the source process (lactose-based or enzyme cascade) for each lot, since impurity profiles and allergen statements differ by route. Check color on older lots before use in light-colored products.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's GRAS Notice Inventory lists GRN 78 for D-tagatose, notified by Arla Foods Ingredients amba and closed with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 352 (D-tagatose, notified by CJ Cheiljedang) and GRN 977 (D-tagatose produced via a novel enzymatic cascade, notified by Bonumose, LLC) also closed with FDA having no questions, each for that notifier's substance and intended uses.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Tagatose suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking tagatose suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell tagatose? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of tagatose can brands buy?
Common forms include crystalline, powder and sweetener blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for tagatose include?
Expect assay (HPLC), loss on drying, color and ash, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should tagatose be stored?
Store tagatose sealed in a cool, dry area; it can absorb moisture and cake, and color can develop with heat over time. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of assay, moisture and color for aged stock.
What is the regulatory status of tagatose?
FDA's GRAS Notice Inventory lists GRN 78 for D-tagatose, notified by Arla Foods Ingredients amba and closed with FDA having no questions. GRN 352 (D-tagatose, notified by CJ Cheiljedang) and GRN 977 (D-tagatose produced via a novel enzymatic cascade, notified by Bonumose, LLC) also closed with FDA having no questions, each for that notifier's substance and intended uses.
More sweeteners
- AlluloseD-allulose · D-psicose
- Monk Fruit ExtractLuo han guo extract · Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract
- Steviastevia leaf extract · steviol glycosides
- SucraloseE955 · 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside
- AspartameE951 · L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester
- Acesulfame potassiumAcesulfame K · Ace-K
- SaccharinSodium saccharin · Calcium saccharin
- NeotameE961 · N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester
- AdvantameE969 · CAS 714229-20-6
- ErythritolE968 · meso-erythritol
- XylitolE967 · birch sugar
- SorbitolE420 · D-glucitol
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