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.

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