Summary
- Isomalto oligosaccharides, commonly called IMO, can sound technical or "chemical," but IMO is a prebiotic carbohydrate derived from familiar starch sources.
- Top Health Ingredients' IMO solutions are derived from non-GMO corn or tapioca starch and are available in powder and syrup formats.
- IMO can support texture, mild sweetness, binding, and shelf-life stability in applications such as bars, candies, snacks, and beverages.
- Labeling options vary depending on the ingredient source, format, and region.
- Brands should review ingredient labeling, consumer-facing language, and regional requirements before finalizing packaging or claims.
What is IMO?
IMO stands for isomalto oligosaccharides. AdvantaThrive™ IMO is a soluble prebiotic ideal for gut health and clean-label nutrition.
While isomalto oligosaccharides may sound long, technical, and hard to pronounce, the abbreviation IMO can feel too vague if a formulator or consumer doesn't already know what it is, which can be a problem.
It is used in formulations where brands need more than just sweetness.
IMO can help support:
- Texture
- Mild sweetness
- Binding
- Moisture control
- Shelf-life stability
- Prebiotic positioning
These functionalities can make it useful in bars, candies, gummies, snacks, syrups, supplements, and sugar-reduced products.
Unlike conventional sweeteners or syrups, IMO provides a low-calorie, low-glycemic source of mild sweetness while supporting digestive balance and overall wellness. Its neutral flavor, heat and pH stability, and high solubility make it ideal for formulators developing functional foods, prebiotic beverages, and wellness-focused nutrition products.
What is IMO Made From?
Top Health Ingredients' IMO solutions are derived from non-GMO corn or tapioca starch and are available in powder and syrup formats through our AdvantaThrive™ and AdvantaThrive™ II.
These sources and format options give formulators flexibility depending on their product positioning, sourcing preferences, and labeling needs.
IMO Powder
IMO powder can work well in dry systems, such as:
- RTM powders
- Supplement blends
- Bakery mixes
- Functional snacks
- Dry nutrition products
IMO Syrup
IMO syrup is useful when formulators need binding, chew, sweetness, or moisture control.
The syrup can work well in systems such as:
- Nutrition bars
- Gummies
- Candies
- Chewy snacks
- Syrups and sauces
- Reduced-sugar confections
How to Label IMO
A challenge that formulators may face is knowing how to properly label IMO on an ingredient deck. Labeling varies based on format, source, and region. Below is a non-exhaustive list of labeling options.
Connect with our team to get more information on how to label AdvantaThrive™ on your packaging.
Labeling IMO Powder
US: Combination of Soluble / prebiotic / non-digestible / vegan / vegetable (or corn, or tapioca) / Powder (or concentrate) - ex: "prebiotic, vegetable concentrate", "soluble, prebiotic vegetable powder", "prebiotic, non-digestible concentrate"
Canada: “Isomalto oligosaccharide”, and may add, “<Source*> Fiber”. Adding “Soluble” as a descriptor is optional.
EU: "Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (AdvantaThriveTM), dietary fiber, from non-GMO <source*>-starch”. Foods containing AdvantaThrive™ must be labelled as either “unsuitable for diabetics” or “source of glucose”.
Australia and New Zealand: “<Source*> isomalto-oligosaccharide>”
*Corn or Tapioca
Labeling IMO Syrup
US: Combination of Soluble / prebiotic / non-digestible / vegan / vegetable (or corn, or tapioca) / Syrup (or concentrate) - ex: "prebiotic, vegetable concentrate", "soluble, prebiotic vegetable syrup", "prebiotic, non-digestible concentrate"
Canada: “Isomalto oligosaccharide”, and may add, “<Source*> Fiber”. Adding “Soluble” as a descriptor is optional.
EU: "Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (AdvantaThriveTM), dietary fiber, from non-GMO <source*>-starch”. Foods containing AdvantaThrive™ must be labelled as either “unsuitable for diabetics” or “source of glucose”.
Australia and New Zealand: “<Source*> isomalto-oligosaccharide>”
*Corn or Tapioca
Soluble prebiotic that helps foster the growth of good gut bacteria - promoting a thriving microbiome
