EFSA health claim opinion

Prebiotic inulin wins EFSA bowel health claim

By Shane STARLING

- Last updated on GMT

EFSA: “Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.” Picture credit: South Park
EFSA: “Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.” Picture credit: South Park

Related tags Dietary fiber Nutrition

European prebiotic giant Beneo is celebrating today after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) backed inulin to better bowel function.

“Six studies involving 86 subjects consistently showed that consumption of ‘native chicory inulin’ at an amount of at least 12 g/day increases stool frequency,”​ wrote EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) in the article 13.5 proprietary science opinion under the EU nutrition and health claim regulation (NHCR).

Article 13.5 protects proprietary science for five years.

It therefore backed the claim: “Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.”

Of the approval, Beneo VP of regulatory affairs and nutrition communication Anke Sentko noted, “The positive evaluation by EFSA shows once again that Beneo is on the right track to further invest in research and focus on sound scientific substantiation of its products’ benefits. Digestive health, including regularity, is an important element of feeling good, especially due to the fact we often have a ‘lazy’ gut.”

“Improved regularity in a natural way is a growing health target of consumers.”

The NDA opinion is here​.

It follows an approval​ won by Beneo (Germany and Belgium), Sensus (the Netherlands) and Cosucra-Groupe Warcoing (Belgium) 12 months ago linking non-digestible carbohydrates including inulin with lower blood glucose rise after meals compared to sugar-containing foods/drinks.

Probiota 2015

Pre- and probiotics will be discussed at Probiota 2015 in Amsterdam on February 3-5 – less than a month away.

From the next wave of prebiotics​ to the future of microbiome science beyond probiotics and prebiotics​, to the nutrients’ effect on mood and anxiety​, and strategies on pre- and probiotic market building, ​Probiota 2015 is a knowledge store you probably shouldn’t miss.

Click here​ for more.

Related news

Related products

show more

GET GREEN FASTER: Low-CI Dextrose/Glucose Syrups

GET GREEN FASTER: Low-CI Dextrose/Glucose Syrups

Content provided by Green Plains Inc. | 01-Mar-2024 | Data Sheet

Elevate your products with Green Plains’ premium, low carbon-intensity corn syrups. Drop-in replacements with an up to 40% lower carbon footprint than...

Efficacy of OLESSENCE™ B Liquid Natural Flavouring

Efficacy of OLESSENCE™ B Liquid Natural Flavouring

Content provided by Kemin Food Technologies | 26-Feb-2024 | Case Study

The main challenge with baked goods today is the prevention of oxidative rancidity with natural alternatives while maintaining the quality, freshness,...

Bun quality issues? Let us help

Bun quality issues? Let us help

Content provided by Corbion | 03-Jan-2024 | Insight Guide

Most bakeries occasionally struggle with bun quality, from low product volume to crust issues and grain/cell problems. The good news is that most bun quality...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars