Allervibe
E967
Xylitol
A sugar alcohol as sweet as sugar, best known from dental chewing gum and mints.
i Additive Details
| Is E967 Xylitol safe?
Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts trigger a massive insulin release in dogs, causing dangerous hypoglycaemia within an hour, and larger doses cause acute liver failure; sugar-free gum and xylitol-sweetened peanut butter are common causes of poisoning, and a suspected ingestion is a veterinary emergency. In people, foods with more than 10 per cent added polyols must carry the EU warning that 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' — xylitol causes bloating and diarrhoea in sensitive individuals, although tolerance usually improves with regular intake. A 2024 observational study reported an association between high blood levels of xylitol and cardiovascular events; regulators have not changed their assessment on that basis.
| Uses
Used in sugar-free chewing gum, mints, lozenges, toothpaste and mouthwash, and as a bulk sweetener in sugar-free confectionery and baking. It matches the sweetness of sucrose gram for gram and gives a strong cooling sensation in the mouth. It supplies about 2.4 kcal per gram and has little effect on blood glucose.
| Interactions
Xylitol suppresses Streptococcus mutans, the main bacterium behind tooth decay, which is why it is used in dental products rather than simply as a sugar substitute. It is a FODMAP and adds to the gut load of any other polyols in the same product. The human body itself produces small amounts of xylitol as a normal intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism.
| Origin
Occurs naturally in small amounts in berries, plums, mushrooms and birch wood. Manufactured by hydrogenating xylose extracted from hardwood, corn cobs or other plant fibre.
| Daily Intake
No numerical ADI has been established; xylitol is classified with the polyols as 'ADI not specified'. The practical limit is gastrointestinal tolerance, which varies widely between people and rises with regular consumption.
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E952 Cyclamates A synthetic sweetener 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, authorised in the EU but not in the United States.
- E954 Saccharin The oldest artificial sweetener, roughly 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar.
- E960 Steviol glycosides Plant-derived sweeteners extracted from stevia leaves, about 200 to 350 times sweeter than sugar.
- E965 Maltitol A sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener, almost as sweet as sugar.
- E968 Erythritol A sugar alcohol with virtually no calories, about 60 to 70 per cent as sweet as sugar.
- E420 Sorbitol A sugar alcohol about 60 per cent as sweet as sugar, used both as a sweetener and as a humectant.
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