What can you tell me about the safety and the chemical structure of the sweetener Xylitol?

Sally Nay, United States

Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in many plants. The human body itself produces Xylitol in the glucose metabolism.

Xylitol is chemically a sugar alcohol, which belongs to the group of the polyols. It is a white crystalline powder that is odourless, with a pleasant, sweet and mild menthol taste. Xylitol in food is used as sugar substitute but it provides calories, but 40 % less than sugar. Because Xylitol has no effect on tooth decay it is often used in sugar free chewing gums and candies. Xylitol is a sweetener, which has to be labeled as a food additive, and has the number E 967. Food, which contents more than 10 percent, must point to a laxative effect. No upper limit for Xylitol is specified. The ADI, the acceptable daily intake, expressed in terms of body weight, is the amount of a food additive that can be taken daily in the diet over a lifetime without risk. An ADI of "not specified" is the safest.

Links about food additives

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sfp/addit_flavor/additives/index_de.html

http://www.EFSA.eu.int

http://www.codexalimentarius.net/