What is E967?
Xylitol (E967) is a polyol sweetener used in selected foods. Goodnessly rates it Caution as a prompt to notice polyol content, product type and portion context.
E967 is xylitol, a sugar alcohol used for sweetness and texture in permitted foods. Product-specific labelling and amount still matter.
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What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol. It can provide sweetness and contribute to texture or moisture management in some formulations.
What's it used for?
- Providing sweetness
- Supporting texture and bulk
- Retaining moisture in selected foods
- Replacing some sucrose functions
Where you'll find E967 on the shelf
It is most relevant to sugar-free confectionery, chewing gum, mints, oral-care foods and other reduced-sugar formulations.
Is E967 permitted? What the regulators say
Xylitol is permitted or authorised in the three systems checked, with product, purity, category and labelling conditions.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists xylitol as additive 967; Schedule 15 food-category permissions and conditions apply. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | The EU Union list includes E967 xylitol for specified uses, with purity specifications and conditions. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted for specified uses | FDA 21 CFR 172.395 permits xylitol in foods for special dietary uses at the amount reasonably required for its intended effect, subject to the section’s conditions. |
Goodnessly rates E967 Caution to encourage awareness of polyols, product type and portion context. This is not a claim that xylitol in permitted amounts is harmful.
- FSANZ Food Standards Code, August 2026 compilation, Schedule 15 and additive 967.
- EUR-Lex Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 cover E967 and specifications.
- FDA 21 CFR 172.395 sets US conditions for xylitol.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People who notice digestive effects from larger amounts of polyols
- People comparing sugar-free confectionery and gum
- People checking products with special-dietary labelling
Goodnessly rates E967 Caution as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Xylitol
- 967 or E967
- Sweetener (967)
- Polyol
Look for xylitol, E967/967 or the sweetener class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E967?
E967 is xylitol, a polyol sweetener used in selected food applications.
Is E967 permitted?
E967 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand, the EU and the US. The product type, amount and labelling conditions still matter.
Why is xylitol rated Caution?
Goodnessly uses Caution as a label-reading prompt to notice polyols, product type and portion context.
How does Goodnessly rate E967?
Goodnessly rates E967 (xylitol) as Caution.
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