Suds suppression is critical in dishwasher detergents, not only to ensure that the detergent itself produces a minimum of suds, but also to keep foodstuffs from creating suds.  Proprietary compounds are used for this purpose.  Suds suppressors are sometimes used in low sudsing laundry detergents to control suds at a low level but not entirely eliminate them. Special long-chain soaps are one class of compound used for this purpose.