Glucose, a simple sugar, usually made from corn starch. The FDA affirms it as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1857.

Is dextrose the same as maltodextrin?

No. Dextrose is a single glucose sugar; maltodextrin is a starch broken into short chains and is much less sweet.

Does dextrose count as added sugar?

It is a free simple sugar, so it counts toward Total Sugars and, when added to food, toward Added Sugars. Check the Added Sugars line on the panel.

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Additive guides · Product label guide

What is dextrose? Dextrose vs maltodextrin and how each shows up on labels.

Updated October 29, 2026

Dextrose is glucose, usually made from corn. How it differs from maltodextrin, what the FDA says, which shelves list each (deli meat, pizza, chips) and how to read the sugar lines.

Quick answer

Dextrose is glucose, the simple sugar in your blood, usually made from corn starch. It helps browning and curing and is less sweet than table sugar. Maltodextrin is a different ingredient: a starch broken into short chains, with little sweetness. Neither is flagged by our checker, but dextrose is a sugar, so look at the Added Sugars line.

FDA status: GRAS, 21 CFR 184.1857
Dextrose: 208 current labels
Maltodextrin: 231 current labels

01 · A closer look

Dextrose is glucose.

Dextrose is the name used on food labels for glucose. Commercial dextrose is made by breaking down corn starch with enzymes. It is less sweet than table sugar, dissolves fast and feeds the browning reaction, so it appears in baked goods, cured meats, sauces and seasoning blends. The FDA affirms corn sugar (dextrose) as generally recognized as safe under 21 CFR 184.1857.

21 CFR 184.1857: corn sugar (dextrose)

02 · A closer look

Maltodextrin is not the same thing.

Maltodextrin is a starch hydrolysate: starch broken into short glucose chains, usually from corn, rice or potato. It is only mildly sweet and is used as a bulking agent, a carrier for flavors and a thickener. The FDA affirms it as generally recognized as safe under 21 CFR 184.1444.

21 CFR 184.1444: maltodextrin

03 · A closer look

Reading the sugar lines.

On the Nutrition Facts panel, dextrose is a sugar, since it is a free simple sugar, and it counts toward Total Sugars and, when added, toward Added Sugars. Maltodextrin is a longer-chain carbohydrate, so look at the Added Sugars line instead of assuming. The FDA’s Added Sugars page explains what counts.

FDA: added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label

04 · A closer look

How our checker treats them.

Neither dextrose nor maltodextrin is flagged, so neither changes a score. They tell you something else: dextrose in a savory food such as deli meat or pizza is a small amount of sugar you would not expect. If you avoid added sugar, search the label for dextrose, maltodextrin and the other names for sugar.

From the catalog · 8 labels

Dextrose in our catalog

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 208 (from 125 brands) list dextrose. The table counts three shelves where it hides in savory food. Below are up to 8 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Dextrose on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List dextrose	208 (4.4%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	36 of 208
Also flagged: Seed Oils	98 of 208
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives	87 of 208
Also flagged: Corn Syrups	50 of 208
Labels that list both dextrose and maltodextrin	48
Dextrose labels on the Deli meat shelf	26
Dextrose labels on the Frozen pizza shelf	32
Dextrose labels on the Chips & crisps shelf	6
Labels on the Frozen pizza shelf	32
Labels on the Deli meat shelf	26
Labels on the Meat cuts & sausages shelf	12
Labels on the Bread shelf	11
Labels on the Electrolyte & hydration drinks shelf	11

From the catalog · 8 labels

Maltodextrin in our catalog

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 231 (from 137 brands) list maltodextrin. Below are up to 8 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Maltodextrin on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List maltodextrin	231 (4.9%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	71 of 231
Also flagged: Seed Oils	117 of 231
Also flagged: Corn Syrups	36 of 231
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives	36 of 231
Labels on the Chips & crisps shelf	19
Labels on the Frozen pizza shelf	17
Labels on the Mac & cheese shelf	16
Labels on the Protein powders shelf	13
Labels on the Fruit snacks & pouches shelf	11

The short answer

Our picks for what is dextrose?

Top of the shelfZ Natural Foods Organic Grass-Fed Vanilla Whey Protein, Whey Concentrate, Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate with Coconut Milk, 55% Cacao, and Pascha Organic & Vegan Salted Caramel Baking Chips each score 100/100. 7 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.

Also strongMission Meats Organic Beef Sticks (100), Lakewood Organic Nurture Golden Glow, Organic Tropical Juice with Prebiotic Fiber, Ginger and Turmeric (100), and Great Value Iodized Salt (100).

Clear noTessemae's Organic Creamy Caesar (lists seed oils).

Ranked from 10 of 10 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.

Compare the recorded labels

Find the ingredients that matter to you.

Only show matches

10 of 10 products

“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.

Compare product claims and recorded ingredients. Click a column heading to sort.
		Buy
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Organic Coconut Palm Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Flakes, Organic Coconut Milk Powder (*Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Chocolate with Coconut Milk, 55% cacao”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-16
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable	Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients SALT, DEXTROSE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, YELLOW PRUSSIATE OF SODA. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2505273 · data date 2023-03-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Filtered Water, Organic Mango Puree Concentrate, Organic Papaya Puree (Not From Concentrate), Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Organic Honey Powder (Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Honey), Organic Agave lnulin, Organic Lime Juice (Not From Concentrate), Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Ginger Powder, Sea Salt, Organic Turmeric Powder, Organic Black Pepper Powder. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Lakewood Nurture Golden Glow \| Organic Tropical Juice with Prebiotic Fiber, Ginger and Turmeric, 32oz Glass”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-11
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	6
Recorded ingredients Organic Beef, Sea Salt, Organic Dextrose, Cultured Celery Powder (Sea Salt, Cultured Celery Powder), Organic Black Pepper, Organic Red Pepper, Organic Garlic, Organic Coriander, Organic Onion, Lactic Acid Starter Culture. Stuffed in a colored collagen casing. Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-19 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Beef Sticks”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-19
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable	Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients SALT, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, CALCIUM SILICATE, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, DEXTROSE, POTASSIUM IODIDE. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2573378 · data date 2023-06-29 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Organic Deodorized Cocoa Butter, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Starch, Organic Rice Syrup Powder, Organic Rice Maltodextrin Powder, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Natural Flavor, Refined Salt, Organic Turmeric (Color) and Organic Vegetable Juice (Color). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “NEW! Organic & Vegan Salted Caramel Baking Chips (8 Bags)”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-16
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	6
Recorded ingredients Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Coconut Milk Powder (Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Acacia Fiber), Organic Bourbon Vanilla Flavor, Organic Stevia Extract (Debittered) . Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grass-Fed Vanilla Whey Protein \| Whey Concentrate”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-16
	92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL, LEMON JUICE, MUSTARD (VINEGAR, WATER, MUSTARD SEEDS, SALT, SPICES), COCONUT AMINOS, SALTED EGG YOLKS, DISTILLED VINEGAR, WATER, SEA SALT, CULTURED DEXTROSE, BLACK PEPPER, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, WHOLE EGG, *ROSEMARY EXTRACT. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Creamy Caesar”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-11
	75 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients 100% grass fed beef, water, unprocessed sea salt, organic dextrose from tapioca (used to initiate the fermentation process), celery juice, organic black pepper, organic red pepper, organic cayenne pepper, organic garlic powder, organic coriander, lactic acid starter culture from non-GMO beets, stuffed in a dye-free beef collagen casing. Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-04
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients 100% Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Pea Protein Concentrate with Tapioca Starch, Milk Protein Concentrate, Date Powder, Cocoa Powder Processed with Alkali, Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Dextrose, Sunflower Lecithin), Chia Seeds, Flaxseed, Quinoa, Malted Barley Extract, Natural Flavors, Milk Protein Isolate, Sea Salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed

How the clean score works

No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.

Primary sources

Sources

21 CFR 184.1857: corn sugar (dextrose) law.cornell.edu
21 CFR 184.1444: maltodextrin law.cornell.edu
FDA: added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label fda.gov