What is E959?
E959 is Neohesperidine DC, a food additive used as a sweetener. Plant-derived.
Also written as: INS 959, E-959, E 959. INS is the international numbering system used outside Europe, including on labels in Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
What to do
No action needed for this additive. Check the rest of the ingredient list, and remember that meat products still need proper halal slaughter.
Is E959 vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. E959 (Neohesperidine DC) is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Found in 1 UK product we checked
Why we classify it this way
Halal Plant-derived.
Basis: No concern found. Made from plants, minerals, fermentation or synthesis, or from a permitted animal product. Nothing in normal production raises a pork, alcohol, insect or slaughter question.
No external reference is listed for this record yet.
Classification audited 3 November 2026. It has not been reviewed by a scholar. How classifications work · Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
Is E959 halal?
E959 (Neohesperidine DC) is halal. Plant-derived.
What is E959 made from?
Made from citrus peel.
What is E959 used for?
E959 is used as a sweetener, typically in diet drinks, sugar-free sweets, chewing gum and yoghurts.
What should I do if a product contains E959?
No action needed for this additive. Check the rest of the ingredient list, and remember that meat products still need proper halal slaughter.
Is E959 vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. E959 (Neohesperidine DC) is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.