Xylitol
E967
E967, INS 967, xylitol, D-xylitol, xilitol
What it is
Xylitol (INS 967 / E967) is a five-carbon polyol used as a bulk sweetener and humectant. Unlike an intense sweetener, it replaces physical bulk as well as sweetness, which is why it is common in chewing gum, sweets and other sugar-free products.
Why BOTIA flags it
Xylitol replaces both the sweetness and the bulk of sugar. Chewing gum sweetened with 100% xylitol has been shown to reduce dental plaque, a risk factor for tooth decay in children — one reason xylitol is so closely associated with chewing gum. Part of it is not absorbed, draws water into the gut and is fermented, so larger amounts can loosen stools; xylitol is also highly toxic to dogs, and even small amounts can cause severe hypoglycaemia.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E967, INS 967, xylitol, D-xylitol and xilitol when explicitly declared.
- Explain its bulk-sweetener function, its association with reduced dental plaque in xylitol chewing gum, its intestinal effects and its serious toxicity to dogs.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine how much xylitol is present from the ingredient list alone.
- Predict an individual's digestive response or determine the severity of a dog's exposure without knowing the amount consumed and the dog's weight.