EFSA: Xylitol chewing gum reduces caries risk

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has come out in support of claims that chewing gum containing xylitol can help reduce the risk of caries.

Previously the EFSA and other regulatory bodies had only allowed sugar-free chewing gums to carry the claim "Does not promote tooth decay."

In an opinion issued last month, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies stated that, based upon its review of 60 published articles on the topic, "a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of chewing gum sweetened with 100% xylitol and the reduction of the risk of tooth decay in children."

The scientific justification of the claim is related to the consumption of 2-3 g of chewing gum sweetened with 100% xylitol at least three times per day after meals, the panel noted. "The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: 'xylitol chewing gum reduces the risk of caries in children.' "

The U.S. FDA has only approved the statement that xylitol doesn't cause caries -- not that it helps reduce the risk of them.