Prices of the sweetener xylitol have more than doubled in the last three months as demand continues to exceed supply.
Daniel Reeds, director at xylitol distributor Healthy by Nature, said: "Prices have gone through the roof. Manufacturers are trying to meet demand by building new facilities, but this takes time."
The problem had been compounded by government restrictions on manufacturers in China, where xylitol production was concentrated, he added. " This has had a serious knock-on effect for xylitol manufacturers."