E967: Xylitol

What is E967?

Xylitol (E967) is a sugar alcohol with about the same sweetness as table sugar but fewer calories. It produces a distinctive cooling sensation in the mouth when it dissolves.

Origin and production

It occurs naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. Commercially it is made by hydrogenating xylose, a sugar extracted from birch wood, corn cobs or other plant fibres.

Why is it used?

Xylitol is a bulk sweetener used particularly in sugar-free chewing gum and mints because it is not fermented by mouth bacteria in the way sugar is. It also appears in sugar-free candies, protein bars and some baked goods.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

Xylitol is plant-derived and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Safety and regulation

E967 is authorised in the EU, and products with more than 10% added polyols must warn that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. Xylitol is well known to be highly toxic to dogs, so xylitol-containing foods should be kept away from pets.

Common in