Inulin Powder

Inulin powder is a soluble, prebiotic dietary fibre made from chicory root. FC Materials supplies a granulated chicory inulin with at least 90 g of inulin per 100 g of dry matter, for fibre enrichment, sugar and fat reduction, and prebiotic supplements. It is produced in Belgium or Chile under a GFSI-recognised food safety standard, and Halal and Kosher certificates are available on request.

What is inulin?

Inulin is a fructan: a chain of fructose units joined by β(2→1) bonds, almost always ending in a glucose unit. The number of units in a chain (the degree of polymerisation, DP) ranges mainly from 2 to 60. Human enzymes cannot break the β(2→1) bond, so inulin passes the small intestine undigested and is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. That is why it counts as dietary fibre and why it is used as a prebiotic. Short chains (DP up to about 10) are known as oligofructose or FOS; see our guide to inulin vs FOS vs resistant dextrin.

Where inulin comes from

Inulin is a storage carbohydrate in many plants. Chicory root is the richest commercial source, and inulin is also found in Jerusalem artichoke, agave, onion, garlic, leek, asparagus and banana. Commercial inulin powder is almost always chicory inulin, because chicory roots contain a high level of it and can be processed like sugar beet. In US usage it is described as a soluble dietary fiber; in the EU and Malaysia, as dietary fibre.

Inulin powder specification

How chicory inulin is made

Chicory roots are washed and sliced, and the inulin is extracted with hot water, much as sugar is extracted from sugar beet. The extract is filtered and purified, refined and sterile-filtered, then spray-dried into a powder. No solvents are used. Because it is a water extract of a root vegetable, inulin suits clean-label and vegan products.

Inulin as dietary fiber on the label

Inulin and oligofructose are non-digestible carbohydrates that qualify as dietary fibre (dietary fiber in US labelling). The manufacturer’s product sheet notes that its nutrition values follow the US FDA’s scientific review of non-digestible carbohydrates of 14 June 2018, under which inulin counts as dietary fiber, and the EU rules that count all fibres at 2 kcal/g. For a fiber claim, use the fibre content by AOAC 997.08 (89 g per 100 g for this grade) and check the claim conditions in your market. In dietary supplements, inulin is often listed simply as “inulin (prebiotic fiber)” or “chicory root fiber”.

Where inulin powder is used

• Fibre enrichment of drinks, dairy, cereals, bars and bakery, to support a fibre declaration
• Sugar reduction: it adds bulk and a slight sweetness (it is about 8% sugars), and works well with high-intensity sweeteners
• Fat replacement in spreads, dairy desserts and fillings, where inulin forms a creamy gel
• Prebiotic supplements: powders, sachets and capsules, alone or with probiotics
• Gummies and chewables, where inulin adds fibre with little effect on taste

Solubility rises sharply with temperature: about 120 g/L at 25 °C and about 350 g/L at 90 °C. For concentrated syrups or drinks, dissolve in warm water. The powder is hygroscopic, so keep it sealed.

Choosing the right grade

Chain length matters. Short chains (oligofructose or FOS) are sweeter and more soluble. Standard chicory inulin, like this grade (average DP ≥ 10), is a mix of short and long chains and is the general-purpose choice. Long-chain inulin is less sweet and less soluble and is better as a fat replacer. Tell us your application and we will confirm the best fit.

Free sugars. This grade contains up to 10 g of glucose, fructose and sucrose per 100 g of dry matter (typically 8 g sugars per 100 g). Include this in your sugar calculation if you plan a reduced-sugar claim.

Measuring it as fibre. The older total dietary fibre method does not fully recover inulin. Fructan-specific methods (AOAC 997.08 or 999.03) or the newer integrated methods give the right figure for the label. The 89 g/100 g fibre value above is by AOAC 997.08.

Tolerance. Inulin is fermented in the large intestine, and large single servings can cause gas and bloating. Products often build up the dose, or combine fibres such as Resistant Dextrin and Psyllium Husk.

Amounts used in studies and tolerance

In the studies summarised below, chicory inulin-type fructans were given at about 3–20 g a day. Inulin is fermented by bacteria in the colon (large intestine), and large single servings can cause wind and bloating, so many products start with a smaller serving or split it across the day. Setting a serving size and any dosage advice for a finished product is the brand owner’s responsibility under local rules.

Storage, shelf life and handling

• Store below 25 °C and below 60% relative humidity, in the original sealed packaging
• Minimum durability: 5 years in bags or 3 years in big bags from production, under these conditions
• Supplied in paper bags or big bags on pallets
• Not classified as hazardous under EU CLP rules. Like most fine food powders, airborne dust can form an explosive mixture (dust explosion class St1), so avoid dust build-up and ignition sources, and wear a particle mask (P1) where dust is generated. An SDS is available.

What the research says

• A 2024 meta-analysis of 55 randomised trials (2,518 adults) found that inulin-type fructans lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.14 mmol/L, triglycerides by 0.06 mmol/L and body weight by 0.97 kg, with little or no effect on other cardiovascular risk factors. The authors rated the certainty of the evidence as low to very low. [1]
• A 2022 meta-analysis of 50 studies (2,525 participants) found that 3–20 g/day of chicory inulin-type fructans increased bifidobacteria in the gut and improved bowel function in healthy people. Two co-authors are affiliated with an ingredient company. [2]

These summaries describe published research on the ingredient. They are not claims for any finished product; claims on finished products must meet the rules of the market where they are sold.

References

1. Talukdar JR, et al. The effects of inulin-type fructans on cardiovascular disease risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024;119(2):496–510. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.10.030
2. Nagy DU, et al. Effect of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans on abundance of Bifidobacterium and on bowel function: a systematic review with meta-analyses. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;63(33):12018–12035. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2098246

What is on our certificate of analysis

Tested on every batch: inulin and sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) by HPLC, dry matter, pH, conductivity, total aerobic count, yeasts, moulds, thermophilic spores and Enterobacteriaceae. Heavy metals, Salmonella, Listeria and other pathogens are covered by the producer’s monitoring plan. Ask us for the batch COA with your quote.

Frequently asked questions

Is your inulin Halal?

Yes. A Halal certificate is available on request, as is a Kosher certificate. The inulin is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Where is the inulin made?

In Belgium or Chile, from chicory root, in compliance with European food law and under a GFSI-recognised food safety standard. FC Materials supplies it from Penang, Malaysia.

What is the difference between inulin and FOS?

FOS (oligofructose) is the short-chain fraction of inulin. It is sweeter and more soluble. Standard inulin contains both short and long chains. See our guide to inulin vs FOS vs resistant dextrin for a full comparison with resistant dextrin.

Does inulin contain gluten or allergens?

The product sheet gives gluten at ≤ 10 mg/kg, and the inulin is not made from ingredients or processing aids that need allergen labelling under EU rules.

What is the shelf life of inulin powder?

Five years in bags or three years in big bags from production, if kept sealed below 25 °C and 60% relative humidity.

Can I get a sample?

Yes. Tell us your application and volume on WhatsApp or through the quote form, and we will arrange a sample with the specification and COA.

Request a quote or sample. Send us your application, target specification and monthly volume and we will reply with availability, documents (specification, COA, SDS, Halal certificate) and pricing for chicory inulin powder. Request a quote or WhatsApp us.

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