Directly compressible xylitol and method

A relatively stable, non-cariogenic consumable tablet formed by direct compression means which exhibits a noted cooling effect when consumed which is sweetened by a sweetener composition consisting essentially of xylitol in the range of about 95% to about 99.9% by weight, and a physiologically acceptable, non-cariogenic binder which does not noticeably affect the sensorial properties of xylitol in the range of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight taken from the group consisting of polymerized reducing sugars, alkali carboxymethylcellulose and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, wherein said tablet exhibits hardness of at least 10 Strong Cobb Units and friability of less than about 3% as calculated by the percentage (by weight) of powder or broken pieces measured after tablets are dropped by means of replicate revolutions through the diameter of the rotating plexiglass drum of a friabilator.

A method of production for a directly compressible, non-cariogenic free flowing xylitol granulate having an average particle size of up to about 500 microns which exhibits a cooling affect when consumed which consists of granulating, by means which simultaneously mix and dry the constituents, milled xylitol with an average particle size of between 40-180 microns with a physiologically acceptable, non-cariogenic binder in an aqueous solution wherein said binder does not noticeably affect the sensorial properties of xylitol, said binder taken from the group consisting of polymerized reducing sugars present in solution in an amount of less than 15% by weight on a dry basis, carboxymethylcellulose present in solution in an amount less than 10% by weight dry substance and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate present in solution in an amount of less than 20% by weight on a dry basis, with said binder present in an amount in the range of about 0.5% to 5% by weight to produce a free flowing granulate;

• and screening the resulting granulate.

A directly compressible granulate which comprises a physiologically acceptable polyol selected from the group consisting of mannitol, lactitol, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol or a sweetener with a glycemic index of less than about 50 such as crystalline fructose, and combinations thereof, and polydextrose in the range of about 0.1% to about 5% weight.