Is e967 vegan?

E967 is the European food additive code for xylitol, a sugar alcohol used primarily as a low-calorie sweetener and moisture-retaining agent. Commercial xylitol is produced from plant materials rich in the polymer xylan, such as birch wood fibers, corn cobs, or sugarcane bagasse. Manufacturers process these plant fibers through chemical hydrolysis to extract xylose, which is subsequently hydrogenated to create xylitol. It can also be produced through the microbial fermentation of plant-derived sugars using yeasts or bacteria. Food companies commonly add E967 to sugar-free chewing gums, mints, hard candies, baked goods, throat lozenges, and oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

E967 is vegan because its industrial manufacturing relies entirely on plant materials, chemical synthesis, and microbial processes. Animal tissues, animal-derived enzymes, and animal processing aids are not utilized at any stage of its production. Because it is sourced completely from botanical and synthetic origins without animal involvement, E967 is suitable for a vegan diet.