DuPont wins rare European probiotic gut health claims

01-Jun-2014 - Last updated on 03-Jun-2014 at 13:55 GMT

DuPont-Danisco has won official approval for probiotic-based gut health claims based on its strains in Switzerland after working with a local retailer.

After last year approving a Danone gut health claim for Activia spoonable yoghurt, Switzerland once again did what the rest of the European Union has not done, and approved a gut health claim.

DuPont-Danisco proclaimed itself to be the first ingredients supplier to do so in Europe.

The company was not available for comment at the time of publication but Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, vice president Health and Protection, DuPont Nutrition & Health said: “DuPont Nutrition & Health applauds the Swiss authorities for approving a structure function claim on scientifically backed Bifidobacterium lactis HN019.”

She added: “Despite the regulatory challenges in Europe, DuPont continues to deliver scientifically proven data on the efficacy of our probiotics.”

Last year Swiss authorities found that the probiotic strain used in Activia, B. animalis CNCM-I_2494, gave a health benefit in healthy adults who consumed two portions of 125g a day.

The claim read: “Activia contributes to digestive comfort by reducing transit time and bloating.”