About
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol (polyol) found in many fruits and vegetables and commercially produced from xylan-rich materials such as birch wood or corn cobs. It is used as a bulk sweetener with approximately the same sweetness as sucrose but a lower caloric value and demonstrated dental-caries-reducing properties.
Safety summary
JECFA has allocated no numerical ADI for xylitol, indicating no quantitative daily intake limit is required under normal conditions of use. However, excessive consumption can produce osmotic laxative effects and gastrointestinal distress; the EU mandates a laxative warning label on foods containing more than 10% added polyols and prohibits polyols including xylitol in beverages. EFSA issued a call for data on E967 in 2021 as part of an ongoing re-evaluation of all approved polyol sweeteners.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Restricted | Authorised as food additive E967 (polyol group) under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Polyols including xylitol are not permitted in beverages due to laxative effects. Foods containing more than 10% added polyols must carry a laxative warning label per Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. E967 is currently under EFSA re-evaluation; a call for data was published in June 2021 under Regulation (EU) No 257/2010.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Listed as a caloric sweetener (INS 967) under Chapter 3 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Maltitol syrup, Lactitol, and Xylitol are explicitly enumerated in the caloric sweetener category.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Permitted as a direct food additive under 21 CFR 172.395 as a sugar substitute. FDA notes sugar alcohols including xylitol do not promote tooth decay and do not cause a sudden increase in blood glucose. Used in sugar-free candies, cookies, and chewing gums.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1WHO. JECFA Food Additives and Contaminants Database: Xylitol (INS 967, CAS 87-99-0). apps.who.int
- 2FDA. Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food. fda.gov
- 3other. Codex/FAO-WHO Comment Compilation: Polyols in Food Categories – CCFA52 Appendix C. fao.org
- 4EFSA. State of play: the re-evaluation of sweeteners (including E967 Xylitol call for data), 2024. efsa.europa.eu
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Chapter 3: Substances Added to Food, 2011. fssai.gov.in
