The D-Tagatose standard is an important reference for food brands, distributors, formulators, and bulk ingredient buyers who need to evaluate product quality, purity, testing methods, and supplier documents before purchasing or importing D-Tagatose. D-Tagatose is a low-calorie sweetener ingredient widely used in sugar reduction, functional food, beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy products, and sweetener blends. As a leading D-Tagatose manufacturer in China, BSH Ingredients supplies both crystalline D-Tagatose powder and D-Tagatose liquid for global food, beverage, and sweetener formulation applications.
In China, the industry standard for tagatose is QB/T 4613-2013 Tagatose. This standard specifies the product classification, quality requirements, testing methods, inspection rules, labeling, packaging, transportation, and storage requirements for tagatose products, including both crystalline tagatose and liquid tagatose. It also includes the method for determining tagatose content in Appendix A.
This guide explains the China D-Tagatose standard QB/T 4613-2013 in a practical way for bulk buyers, covering crystalline D-Tagatose powder, liquid D-Tagatose, key specification limits, HPLC assay method, COA requirements, quality control points, and international procurement considerations.
What Is the China D-Tagatose Standard?
The China D-Tagatose standard is QB/T 4613-2013, Tagatose, an industry standard issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
According to the standard, it applies to tagatose produced from lactose through processes such as hydrolysis, isomerization, centrifugation, and purification.
The standard covers:
- Product classification
- Sensory requirements
- Physicochemical specifications
- Contaminant limits
- Microbiological limits
- Hygiene requirements during production
- Testing methods
- Inspection rules
- Labeling and packaging
- Transportation and storage
- Determination method for tagatose content
For bulk buyers, the most important sections are usually the tagatose content requirement, moisture limit, residue on ignition, specific optical rotation, melting point, and HPLC assay method.
Product Classification Under the D-Tagatose Standard
The China tagatose standard classifies tagatose into two forms:
Crystalline D-Tagatose
Crystalline D-Tagatose is usually supplied as white or almost white crystalline powder. It is commonly used in solid formulations, including powdered sweeteners, tablets, chewing gum, bakery premixes, meal replacements, and functional food products.
For bulk buyers, crystalline D-Tagatose powder is often the preferred form because it is easier to store, transport, blend, and use in dry ingredient systems.
Learn more about BSH Ingredients’ product supply here: Bulk D-Tagatose Powder
Liquid D-Tagatose
Liquid D-Tagatose is supplied as a viscous, usually colorless to yellow, liquid. It may be suitable for liquid sweetener systems, beverages, syrups, sauces, dairy applications, and liquid compound sweetener formulations.
When choosing between crystalline and liquid D-Tagatose, buyers should consider product format, target application, production process, water activity, shelf life, and transportation cost.
Sensory Requirements for D-Tagatose
The standard includes sensory requirements for both crystalline D-Tagatose and liquid D-Tagatose.
| Item | Crystalline D-Tagatose | Liquid D-Tagatose |
|---|---|---|
| Color | White or almost white | Colorless to yellow |
| Odor | No abnormal odor | No abnormal odor |
| Form | Crystalline powder | Viscous liquid |
| Impurities | No visible impurities under normal vision | No visible impurities under normal vision |
For buyers, sensory inspection is a basic but important quality check. A good D-Tagatose powder should have a clean appearance, no abnormal odor, no visible foreign matter, and stable powder characteristics.
Physicochemical Specifications of D-Tagatose
The physicochemical requirements are the core of the D-Tagatose standard. These indicators are also the main items buyers should check in the supplier’s COA.
| Item | Crystalline D-Tagatose | Liquid D-Tagatose |
|---|---|---|
| Tagatose content | ≥98% | ≥50% |
| Moisture | ≤0.5% | Not specified |
| Residue on ignition | ≤0.5% | ≤0.5% |
| Specific optical rotation [α]D²⁰ | -4.0 to -7.0 | Not specified |
| Melting point | 133 to 144°C | Not specified |
For crystalline D-Tagatose, the tagatose content is calculated on a dry basis. For liquid D-Tagatose, the content is based on the actual test result.
These specifications are especially important for buyers who use D-Tagatose in sugar-free foods, reduced-calorie formulations, sweetener blends, and export-oriented food applications.
Key Quality Indicators Buyers Should Check
When purchasing bulk D-Tagatose powder, buyers should not only look at price. They should also check whether the supplier can provide complete testing documents and consistent batch quality.
Important quality indicators include:
- Tagatose assay
- Moisture content
- Residue on ignition
- Specific optical rotation
- Melting point
- Microbiological limits
- Heavy metals or contaminant limits
- Batch number
- Manufacturing date
- Shelf life
- Storage condition
- Test method
- COA and specification sheet
For food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers, these quality indicators help confirm whether an ingredient is suitable for production, formulation, import clearance, and finished-product labeling.
Determination Method for Tagatose Content
One of the most useful parts of the China D-Tagatose standard is the appendix for tagatose content determination.
According to Appendix A, tagatose content is determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, using water as the mobile phase. The sample is separated by a chromatographic column and detected by a differential refractive index detector. The content is calculated by the external standard method or the area normalization method.
In practical terms, this means the assay is based on an HPLC method, which is widely accepted for sugar and rare sugar analysis.
Principle of the Method
The method uses HPLC to separate D-Tagatose from other components. A refractive index detector is used for detection. The content is calculated according to the peak area.
The external standard method is specified as the arbitration method.
Reagents and Materials
The method requires:
Grade 1 water according to GB/T 6682-2008
D-Tagatose reference standard with purity ≥99.0%
Standard solutions at different concentrations
The standard series includes:
- 0.1 mg/mL
- 0.2 mg/mL
- 0.4 mg/mL
- 0.8 mg/mL
- 1.0 mg/mL
- 2.0 mg/mL
The linear correlation coefficient of the standard curve should be ≥0.9990.
Instruments and Equipment
The standard requires:
- High-performance liquid chromatograph
- Differential refractive index detector
- 0.22 μm membrane filter
- Calcium-form strong acid cation exchange resin column, 7.8 mm × 300 mm, or equivalent column
- Analytical balance with 0.1 mg precision
- 50 μL microsyringe
Reference Chromatographic Conditions
| Item | Condition |
|---|---|
| Mobile phase | Grade 1 water |
| Column temperature | 80°C |
| Flow rate | About 0.5 mL/min |
| Injection volume | 20 μL |
| System suitability | Relative error of repeated peak areas <2.0% |
Sample Preparation
Approximately 0.1 g of sample is weighed on a dry basis and accurately weighed to 0.0001 g. The sample is dissolved with the mobile phase and diluted to 10 mL. The solution is filtered through a 0.22 μm membrane before injection.
Sample Measurement
The D-Tagatose peak is identified by comparing its retention time with that of the standard solution. The content is then calculated by the external standard method or the area normalization method.
This method is important for bulk buyers because it directly supports the assay value shown on the COA.
Microbiological and Contaminant Requirements
The China D-Tagatose standard also refers to national standards for contaminant limits and microbiological requirements.
Contaminant limits should comply with GB 2762.
Total plate count, coliform group, and pathogenic bacteria should comply with GB 15203.
Production hygiene should comply with GB 14881.
For export buyers, microbiological testing is especially important because D-Tagatose is used in food and beverage applications. Buyers may also request additional testing, depending on the destination market, such as heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), Salmonella, yeast and mold, and total plate count.
Factory Inspection Requirements
The standard specifies factory inspection items for each batch.
Factory inspection items include:
- Sensory inspection
- Tagatose content
- Moisture
- Residue on ignition
- Total bacterial count
- Coliform group
For buyers, this means each batch should be checked before release. When purchasing bulk D-Tagatose powder, you should ask the supplier for a batch-specific COA rather than just a general specification sheet.
Type Inspection Requirements
Type inspection includes all items specified in the standard. Under normal conditions, it is usually conducted once every six months.
Type inspection is also required in the following situations:
- When raw or auxiliary materials change significantly
- When key production processes or equipment are changed
- When production resumes after being suspended for more than three months
- When factory inspection results differ significantly from previous type inspection results
- When required by national quality supervision authorities
For international buyers, type inspection helps evaluate whether the supplier has a stable quality management system and consistent production control.
Labeling, Packaging, Transportation and Storage
The China D-Tagatose standard requires that prepackaged labels comply with GB 7718.
Packaging containers should be clean and comply with relevant hygiene standards.
During transportation, D-Tagatose should be protected from sunlight and rain. It should not be transported together with toxic or harmful substances.
The product should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated warehouse to prevent moisture absorption and deterioration.
For crystalline D-Tagatose powder, moisture control is very important. Buyers should store the product in sealed packaging and avoid high humidity environments.
China D-Tagatose Standard vs International Buyer Requirements
The China D-Tagatose standard provides a useful quality reference for product specifications and testing. However, international buyers often need to check additional regulatory and application requirements.
In the United States, FDA GRAS notices include D-Tagatose uses as a sweetener, flavor enhancer, humectant, texturizer, and stabilizer in different food categories. FDA GRN 977 describes intended uses including tabletop sweeteners, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, confectionery, meal replacement drinks, and other products.
FDA GRN 78 also covers D-Tagatose for use in diet and sugar-free beverages, ready-to-eat cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie tea beverages, baked goods, frozen dairy desserts, candies, and meal replacements.
In the European Union, D-Tagatose was authorised as a novel food ingredient in December 2005, according to the European Commission’s former novel food authorisation list. In the UK, D-Tagatose is also described as an authorised novel food under assimilated Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.
Because regulatory requirements may differ by country, importers and food manufacturers should always confirm local regulations before using D-Tagatose in final products.
For more information, read:
Global Regulatory Status of D-Tagatose
D-Tagatose FDA GRAS Status
Why the D-Tagatose Standard Matters for Bulk Buyers
For bulk sweetener buyers, the D-Tagatose standard is not only a technical document. It is also a purchasing reference.
A clear standard helps buyers confirm:
Whether the product is crystalline or liquid D-Tagatose
Whether the assay meets the required purity
Whether moisture and residue on ignition are controlled
Whether the supplier uses reliable HPLC testing
Whether batch inspection is performed
Whether the COA matches the agreed specification
Whether the product is suitable for food and beverage applications
Whether the supplier can support export documents and quality audits
For large-volume procurement, stable quality is often more important than a slightly lower price. A qualified supplier should be able to provide clear specifications, batch COA, test methods, regulatory support, and application guidance.
You may also find these related guides useful:
D-Tagatose Applications
Tagatose vs Allulose
D-Tagatose Manufacturing Process
D-Tagatose Price Guide
D-Tagatose Stability Test Report
D-Tagatose Allergen Statement
BSH Ingredients: Bulk D-Tagatose Powder Supplier in China
BSH Ingredients supplies bulk D-Tagatose powder for food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, dairy, nutrition, and sweetener blend applications.
We support global customers with:
- Bulk D-Tagatose powder supply
- Food-grade quality control
- Batch-specific COA
- HPLC assay testing
- Custom packaging
- Export documentation
- Technical support for sweetener formulations
- Free sample for evaluation
- Wholesale quotation for bulk orders
Whether you are developing a sugar-free beverage, low-calorie confectionery, tabletop sweetener, functional food, or compound sweetener formula, BSH Ingredients can help you choose the right D-Tagatose specification for your product.
Contact BSH Ingredients today for bulk D-Tagatose powder specifications, COA, free sample, and wholesale quotation.
FAQ
What is the D-Tagatose standard in China?
The China D-Tagatose standard is QB/T 4613-2013 Tagatose. It specifies the classification of tagatose, quality requirements, testing methods, inspection rules, labeling, packaging, transportation, and storage requirements.
What is the required purity of crystalline D-Tagatose?
According to the standard, crystalline D-Tagatose should have a tagatose content of not less than 98%, calculated on a dry basis.
What is the required tagatose content for liquid D-Tagatose?
Liquid D-Tagatose should have a tagatose content of not less than 50%, based on the actual test value.
How is D-Tagatose content tested?
D-Tagatose content is tested by high-performance liquid chromatography, using water as the mobile phase and a differential refractive index detector. The external standard method or area normalization method is used for quantification.
What should buyers check in a D-Tagatose COA?
Buyers should check tagatose assay, moisture, residue on ignition, microbiological limits, contaminant limits, batch number, manufacturing date, shelf life, storage condition, and test method.
Is D-Tagatose approved for food use in the United States?
D-Tagatose has been the subject of FDA GRAS notices for use in various food categories as a sweetener, humectant, texturizer, flavor enhancer, and stabilizer. Buyers should still confirm the intended use and local labeling requirements before launching final products.
Is D-Tagatose authorized in the European Union?
D-Tagatose was authorized as a novel food ingredient in the European Union in December 2005. Buyers should check the latest EU and local member-state requirements for their final product category.
References
- China D-Tagatose Standard QB/T 4613-2013 （the Chinese PDF is here）
