Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO)
Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) suppliers and sourcing guide
Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO) are a mixture of short glucose chains joined mainly by alpha-1,6 links, such as isomaltose, panose and isomaltotriose. They are made from starch, commonly tapioca, corn or pea, which is broken down with enzymes and then treated with a transglucosidase that forms the branched links. The product is refined and sold as a clear syrup or spray-dried powder with a mild sweetness, graded by IMO content.
- Category
- Fibers
- Also known as
- IMO · isomalto-oligosaccharides · isomaltooligosaccharide syrup · branched glucose oligosaccharides
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of isomaltooligosaccharide (imo)
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
IMO syrup
Viscous syrup used as a binder and sweetener in bars and confections.
IMO powder
Spray-dried powder for dry mixes, tablets and baked goods.
IMO purity grades
Sold by IMO content, for example around 50% or 90%, with the rest glucose, maltose and other sugars.
Starch source
Tapioca, corn or pea starch; affects allergen, GMO and organic status.
Organic
From certified organic starch, under organic certification.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Saccharide profile
- IMO content and distribution of isomaltose, panose and higher oligomers by HPLC.
- Dietary fiber
- Fiber by AOAC 2009.01 or 2011.25; results depend on the method used, so state the method.
- Dry solids or moisture
- Refractometric dry solids for syrups, loss on drying for powders.
- pH, color and ash
- Basic quality checks for refining and appearance.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic by ICP-MS.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep IMO powder in sealed, moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place, since it is hygroscopic and cakes. Keep syrup in closed drums or totes at room temperature, away from heat that darkens it. Shelf life follows the supplier's best-before date.
Lots and expiry dates
The share of IMO and of simple sugars varies between producers and lots, which changes the fiber and sugar values on the label, so check the saccharide profile on each COA. Record the starch source and the fiber method behind any fiber figure.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 246, for an isomalto-oligosaccharide mixture notified by BioNeutra for use in a variety of foods at up to 1.5 to 15 grams per serving, closed on Feb 10, 2009 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 818, for isomalto-oligosaccharides notified by Ingredion as an all-purpose sweetener and bulking agent in foods generally, excluding infant formula and USDA-regulated foods, closed on Dec 18, 2019 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's list of dietary fibres reviewed and accepted by its Food Directorate lists isomaltooligosaccharides, a mixture of glucose oligomers enzymatically produced from edible starch, as an accepted novel fibre.
Source: canada.ca (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.
Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking isomaltooligosaccharide (imo) 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 isomaltooligosaccharide (imo)? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of isomaltooligosaccharide (imo) can brands buy?
Common forms include iMO syrup, iMO powder, iMO purity grades, starch source and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for isomaltooligosaccharide (imo) include?
Expect saccharide profile, dietary fiber, dry solids or moisture, pH, color and ash, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should isomaltooligosaccharide (imo) be stored?
Keep IMO powder in sealed, moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place, since it is hygroscopic and cakes. Keep syrup in closed drums or totes at room temperature, away from heat that darkens it. Shelf life follows the supplier's best-before date.
What is the regulatory status of isomaltooligosaccharide (imo)?
GRN 246, for an isomalto-oligosaccharide mixture notified by BioNeutra for use in a variety of foods at up to 1.5 to 15 grams per serving, closed on Feb 10, 2009 with FDA having no questions. GRN 818, for isomalto-oligosaccharides notified by Ingredion as an all-purpose sweetener and bulking agent in foods generally, excluding infant formula and USDA-regulated foods, closed on Dec 18, 2019 with FDA having no questions. Health Canada's list of dietary fibres reviewed and accepted by its Food Directorate lists isomaltooligosaccharides, a mixture of glucose oligomers enzymatically produced from edible starch, as an accepted novel fibre.
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