A COMMON sugar additive used in popular foods may be the driving force behind the growth of one of the most aggressive superbugs, according to experts.

The warning comes after a study published in Nature Journal identified trehalose, which is found in foods such as nutrition bars and chewing gum, as playing a part in spreading a dangerous superbug across the US. Trehalose has been linked with the rise of two strains of the bacterium clostridium difficile, which is a deadly superbug capable of resisting antibiotic medications.

Clostridium difficile, is known for causing diarrhoea, colitis, organ failure, and even death.

The researchers found a link between the rapid spread of the superbug in the past few years and the increased usage of trehalose in many sweet snacks.

According to Robert Britton from the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas: “In 2000, trehalose was approved as a food additive in the US for a number of foods from sushi and vegetables to ice cream."

Dr Britton, who is one of the researchers in the study, said: "About three years later the reports of outbreaks with these lineages started to increase

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