What Food Products Use Xylitol?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

First discovered by chemists in the late 19th century, xylitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in small quantities in fibrous fruits and vegetables. Today, commercially produced xylitol is a common ingredient in a wide range of food products, often used as a sugar substitute for its lower calorie count and dental health benefits.

Quick Summary

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in many sugar-free products like gum, candy, baked goods, and some nut butters for its sweetness and dental benefits. It's safe for humans but highly toxic to dogs, causing a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar.

Key Points

Prevalence: Xylitol is a widely used sugar substitute in many sugar-free products, including gums, candies, baked goods, and supplements.
Hidden Sources: Consumers must read labels carefully, as xylitol can be an unexpected ingredient in items like certain brands of peanut butter, protein bars, and jams.
Dental Health: It is beneficial for dental hygiene because it helps prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Low Glycemic Index: Due to its minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels, xylitol is often used in products for individuals managing diabetes.
Pet Danger: A critical health alert for dog owners, as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can cause severe hypoglycemia and liver failure.
Unique Taste: Xylitol provides a powerful cooling sensation, making it a preferred sweetener for mint-flavored and breath-freshening products.
Calorie Reduction: It serves as an effective low-calorie alternative to table sugar, containing roughly 40% fewer calories.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a type of carbohydrate known as a sugar alcohol or polyol. It is a white, crystalline substance that looks and tastes like table sugar (sucrose) but with 40% fewer calories and a much lower glycemic index. While it occurs naturally in small amounts in plants like plums, strawberries, and cauliflower, the xylitol used in most food products is commercially produced from sources such as corncobs and birchwood.

Its popularity stems from several key properties. It provides a similar sweetness to sugar, but unlike sugar, it does not cause a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, making it a common choice for diabetic and low-carb diets. Furthermore, its endothermic properties create a refreshing, cooling sensation in the mouth, which makes it particularly appealing for certain products.

Common Food Products Containing Xylitol

Xylitol is widely incorporated into various processed foods, especially those marketed as sugar-free, diabetic-friendly, or low-calorie. Being aware of the categories where it's most common is key for consumers, especially those with pets.

Confectionery and Candy

This category represents the largest application for xylitol due to its sweetness, low calorie count, and distinct cooling effect.

Sugar-free chewing gum: This is perhaps the most well-known product containing xylitol. The sugar alcohol helps sweeten the gum and also inhibits the growth of bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Mints and breath sprays: Xylitol's cooling effect makes it an ideal ingredient for breath-freshening products like mints and sprays.
Hard candies and lozenges: To create sweet treats without the sugar content, manufacturers often use xylitol in hard candies and cough drops.

Baked Goods and Desserts

Xylitol can be used as a sugar replacement in many baked goods, especially those designed for a low-sugar or low-carb diet. However, it does not caramelize like sugar, which can affect the final texture and appearance.

Cookies and cakes: Sugar-free cakes and cookie mixes often utilize xylitol.
Ice cream: "Skinny" or sugar-free ice creams are another common product where xylitol provides sweetness and texture.
Pudding and gelatin mixes: Some sugar-free pudding and gelatin dessert mixes include xylitol as a sweetener.

Unexpected or Hidden Sources

It's important to read ingredient labels, as xylitol can be found in products where it might be less expected.

Nut and peanut butters: Several brands, particularly high-protein or sugar-free varieties, have started adding xylitol. Checking the label is crucial for pet owners, as this is a very dangerous hidden source for dogs.
Jams, jellies, and syrups: Many sugar-free fruit spreads and pancake syrups use xylitol.
Health and energy products: Protein bars, meal replacement shakes, and protein powders sometimes contain xylitol.
Supplements and medications: Chewable vitamins, children's liquid medications, cough syrup, and antacids can be sweetened with xylitol.

The Role of Xylitol in Food

Beyond its function as a low-calorie sweetener, xylitol serves several other purposes in food production:

Dental health: Unlike sugar, which is food for decay-causing bacteria in the mouth, xylitol is not fermentable by these bacteria. This inhibits bacterial growth, reduces plaque, and helps prevent cavities.
Moisture retention: As a humectant, xylitol helps food products retain moisture, improving their texture and shelf life.
Stability: It acts as a stabilizer and thickener in various food formulations.
Satiety: Some studies suggest xylitol may help induce satiety, aiding in weight management.

Comparison of Common Sweeteners


Feature	Xylitol	Sucrose (Table Sugar)	Erythritol
Calories (per gram)	2.4 kcal	4 kcal	0.2 kcal
Sweetness (vs. Sucrose)	1:1	1:1	0.7:1
Glycemic Index (GI)	7	60–65	0
Dental Benefits	Excellent (inhibits bacteria)	None (promotes decay)	Excellent (inhibits bacteria)
Cooling Sensation	Yes (strong)	No	Yes (mild)
Laxative Effect	Possible with high doses	No	Low risk

Pet Safety: The Extreme Danger of Xylitol for Dogs

While safe for humans, xylitol poses a severe and potentially fatal risk to dogs. When a dog ingests xylitol, it is rapidly absorbed into their bloodstream, triggering a powerful release of insulin from the pancreas. This causes a sudden and dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can lead to seizures, liver failure, and death in as little as 30 to 60 minutes. This is why pet owners must be vigilant about checking ingredient lists for all food products, including seemingly benign items like peanut butter. If you suspect your dog has consumed xylitol, seek immediate veterinary care. The FDA has issued strong warnings on this topic, advising pet owners to keep all products containing this sweetener out of their dog's reach.

Conclusion

From chewing gum to baked goods, xylitol is a ubiquitous sugar substitute found in a vast array of modern food products. Its benefits for dental health and its low-calorie, low-glycemic properties make it an attractive alternative to traditional sugar. However, its increasing prevalence in household staples also requires greater consumer awareness, particularly for pet owners, due to its high toxicity to dogs. Reading ingredient labels has become more important than ever to ensure the safety of our canine companions and to make informed dietary choices.

Visit the FDA's consumer update on xylitol for pet owners to learn more about keeping your dog safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, or polyol, that is commercially produced from plant materials like corncobs and birchwood, even though it's naturally present in trace amounts in some fruits and vegetables.

Xylitol is a key ingredient in sugar-free gum because it offers a pleasant sweetness while also providing a strong, cooling sensation. More importantly, it helps fight tooth decay by inhibiting oral bacteria.

Beyond obvious sugar-free products, xylitol can be found in unexpected items like some protein powders, vitamin supplements, certain brands of peanut and nut butters, and various low-calorie baked goods.

Yes, xylitol is extremely dangerous and highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure. Immediate veterinary attention is required if a dog consumes any product containing it.

The key difference is how the body metabolizes xylitol. In humans, it is absorbed slowly and has minimal effect on insulin. In dogs, however, it triggers a massive and rapid release of insulin, leading to a severe and dangerous blood sugar crash.

The most reliable way is to read the ingredient list on the product packaging. Xylitol will be listed as an ingredient, and the FDA advises checking labels on all sugar-free products, especially if you have a dog.

Yes, you can purchase xylitol in bulk to use as a sugar substitute in home baking. However, be aware that it does not cause browning or caramelization like regular sugar, which can affect some recipes.