Product code: P2403
Xylitol (E 967) is a type of sweetener that comes under the category of 'polyols'. Polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, are carbohydrates, but are not considered sugars. Xylitol is naturally produced by the human as part of normal metabolism, It even occurs naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. Xylitol has fewer calories than sucrose (table sugar) and does not cause tooth decay.
Sweetness index and flavour profile
Xylitol has about the same sweetness as sucrose. The most popular uses for xyltiol include chewing gum, cough syrups, lozenges, toothpaste and mouthwashes because it produces a cooling effect in the mouth.
Nutrition Information
Like other polyols (with the exception of erythritol), xylitol is considered to have 10kJ per gram which equates to 2.4kcal per gram.
Regulatory and safety
Excessive consumption of polyols can produce a laxative effect; as such, foods containing more than 10 % added polyols authorised pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 are required to have a warning on the label. Products containing sweeteners are also required to have the statement 'with sweetener(s)' accompanying the name of the food (in the case of foods containing sugar and sweeteners, this would require the statement 'contains sugar(s) and sweetener(s)'.
The conditions of use of xylitol are stipulated in Regulation 1333/2008. Xylitol comes under Group I (Additives) and Group IV (Polyols)l; it's important to check by the category that the food is being sold under to see if usage or usage levels are compliant with the regulation.
Health Claims
Chewing gum sweetened with 100% xylitol has been shown to reduce dental plaque. High content/level of dental plaque is a risk factor in the development of caries in children
Information to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a consumption of 2-3g of chewing gum sweetened with 100% xylitol at least 3 times per day after the meals
Consumption of foods/drinks containing Xylitol instead of sugar contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation * In the case of D-tagatose and isomaltulose this should read "other sugars"
In order to bear the claim, sugars should be replaced in foods or drinks (which reduce plaque pH below 5.7) by sugar replacers, i.e. intense sweeteners, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt, erythritol, D-tagatose, isomaltulose, sucralose or polydextrose, or a combination of them, in amounts such that consumption of such foods or drinks does not lower plaque pH below 5.7 during and up to 30 minutes after consumption
Consumption of foods/drinks containing Xylitol instead of sugar induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/drinks * In the case of D-tagatose and isomaltulose this should read "other sugars"
In order to bear the claim, sugars should be replaced in foods or drinks by sugar replacers, i.e. intense sweeteners, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt, erythritol, sucralose or polydextrose, or a combination of them, so that foods or drinks contain reduced amounts of sugars by at least the amount referred to in the claim REDUCED [NAME OF NUTRIENT] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. In the case of D-tagatose and isomaltulose, they should replace equivalent amounts of other sugars in the same proportion as that referred to in the claim REDUCED [NAME OF NUTRIENT] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
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