INS 967 is xylitol, a sugar alcohol (polyol) that tastes about as sweet as sugar with around 40% fewer calories. It gives a slight cooling sensation in the mouth (because dissolving it absorbs heat) and is the default sweetener in sugar-free dental gum, mints, and some low-calorie candy. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories.
Quick Facts
INS Number
967
E-Number
E967
Category
Sweetener
Veg Status
Vegan
FSSAI Status
Permitted by FSSAI
JECFA ADI
Not specified (1983)
Chemical Name
meso-xylitol (pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol; a 5-carbon sugar alcohol / polyol)
What is INS 967?
INS 967 is xylitol, a sugar alcohol (polyol) that tastes about as sweet as sugar with around 40% fewer calories. It gives a slight cooling sensation in the mouth (because dissolving it absorbs heat) and is the default sweetener in sugar-free dental gum, mints, and some low-calorie candy.
Why brands add it
Brands use it because xylitol matches sucrose for sweetness without the blood-sugar spike, has a clean taste without the bitter aftertaste of intense sweeteners, and gives the small cooling note that suits mints and chewing gum. It also has a long history of use in sugar-free dental products. The trade-off is the same as other polyols: doses above about 50 g in a day can cause gas or loose stools because xylitol is only partially absorbed in the small intestine.
Where you'll find it
INS 967 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
sugar-free dental chewing gum and mints
sugar-free candy and toffees
diabetic-friendly chocolates and confectionery
toothpaste and mouthwash
some sugar-free baking mixes
supplement and pharmaceutical syrups (especially paediatric and chewable forms)
Veg or non-veg? - Vegan
Xylitol is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of xylose. The xylose itself comes from hemicellulose, which is extracted from plant material: traditionally birch wood (the European route) and now most often corn cobs (the dominant modern route, especially in China). No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a polyol sweetener and bulking agent under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, regulated under the polyol group (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol) at GMP levels for specified food categories. This is a separate regulatory mechanism from the non-sugar-sweetener (NSS) list that covers saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. Per the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, products containing 10% or more polyols must carry the declaration 'Polyols may have laxative effect', the same rule applied to sorbitol and maltitol.
JECFA: ADI 'not specified' for xylitol, established at the 27th JECFA (1983), TRS 696. 'Not specified' is JECFA's safest classification: a numerical limit was not considered necessary at expected use levels. The 1983 evaluation reviewed long-term feeding studies in rats, mice, and dogs. A two-year dog study showed increased liver enzymes and glycogen accumulation in liver cells without necrosis at high dietary doses; the committee concluded these reflected metabolic adaptation in aging laboratory animals rather than direct toxicity, and the ADI 'not specified' status was maintained. Note that this is a separate finding from the modern veterinary concern about acute xylitol poisoning in pet dogs, which is a different mechanism (rapid insulin release) and was not part of the JECFA evaluation.
Also known as
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 967 is also called:
For humans, JECFA gave xylitol an ADI of 'not specified' in 1983, meaning a numerical limit was not considered necessary at expected use levels. The main practical concern for humans is laxative effect: doses above roughly 50 g in a day can cause gas or loose stools because xylitol is only partially absorbed in the small intestine. This is the basis for the mandatory FSSAI 'Polyols may have laxative effect' label declaration on products containing 10% or more polyols. Xylitol does not raise blood sugar significantly, which is why it is widely used in diabetic and dental products. One important non-human caution: xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. In dogs, even small amounts can trigger a sudden insulin release leading to dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) within 30 minutes to a few hours, and higher doses can cause acute liver failure (per the MSD Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline). If a dog has eaten any product containing xylitol (sugar-free gum, mints, baked goods, or peanut butter labelled with xylitol), treat it as a veterinary emergency. This severe insulin-release warning is mainly a dog issue; for any pet exposure, call a veterinarian or poison helpline.
Is INS 967 vegetarian?+
Vegan. Xylitol is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of xylose. The xylose itself comes from hemicellulose, which is extracted from plant material: traditionally birch wood (the European route) and now most often corn cobs (the dominant modern route, especially in China). No animal product is used in its manufacture.
Is INS 967 permitted by FSSAI?+
Permitted by FSSAI as a polyol sweetener and bulking agent under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, regulated under the polyol group (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol) at GMP levels for specified food categories. This is a separate regulatory mechanism from the non-sugar-sweetener (NSS) list that covers saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. Per the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, products containing 10% or more polyols must carry the declaration 'Polyols may have laxative effect', the same rule applied to sorbitol and maltitol.
What is INS 967 used for?+
Brands use it because xylitol matches sucrose for sweetness without the blood-sugar spike, has a clean taste without the bitter aftertaste of intense sweeteners, and gives the small cooling note that suits mints and chewing gum. It also has a long history of use in sugar-free dental products. The trade-off is the same as other polyols: doses above about 50 g in a day can cause gas or loose stools because xylitol is only partially absorbed in the small intestine.
Is INS 967 (also written as E967) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 967 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E967 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (xylitol).
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.