State watchdog to see if xylitol is effective against tooth bugs

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 24, 2018, 11:13 Updated : January 24, 2018, 11:13

[Hans / Pixabay]


SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Aju News) -- South Koreans have strong faith that xylitol prevents cavities, and a chewing gum including the sugar alcohol used as a sweetener has been a steady best seller since a confectionary company released it in 2000.

The effectiveness of xylitol has been controversial as studies conducted by many foreign organizations showed conflicting results. South Korea has been no exception.

As the food additive is more widely used as a sweetener in South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety promised to examine whether xylitol is really effective in preventing tooth bugs.

The ministry will conduct a cyclical test to determine whether the natural-occurring sweetener should be expelled out of the functional food market if there is not enough scientific evidence supporting its claimed effectiveness.

Lotte Confectionary, which produced a xylitol chewing gum, has successfully promoted its product as effective in preventing cavities. The ministry will form a research team in March to conduct its study by November this year, but chewing gums containing xylitol are not subject to the ministry's cyclical examination.

The ministry allowed Lotte to use slogans promoting the tooth bug-fighting effectiveness of xylitol in advertisements in 2008 but withdrew its decision in February 2017 at the request of state auditors who found that a person must chew 12 to 28 gums a day to gain protection.
 
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