Xylitol, a product used as a sweetener and sugar substitute in a number of household products is leading to the deaths of domestic pets, Confectionery News has reported.
The magazine quotes a local Mississippi newspaper on the dangers of the surging Xylitol market, which has become the number one cause of dog poisoning in the US, overtaking other household products such as chocolate and antifreeze.
The US Animal Poison Control Centre (APCC) released figures showing that the number of dogs treated for Xylitol poisoning had increased 142 per cent in 2005.
Xylitol can be placed in gum, confectionery, pharmaceuticals toothpastes and baked goods.
Often used to deliver "sugar-free" products, the sweetener has become increasingly popular as a health conscious population looks to alternatives to sugar.
The low blood levels of dogs is what places them at risk from the product, as they can develop hypoglycaemia.
Demand for sugar-free products is also increasing in the UK, with over a third of consumers estimated to actively avoid sugar, according to Confectionery News.
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