Gut/digestive health

Forget it kid, it won't help...

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA rejects kids' probiotic gut health claim

EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has turned down a probiotic-children’s gut health claim from Italian company Centro Sperimentale del Latte because of non-characterised strains and a non-beneficial claim.

Dead or alive: Benefits of probiotics need live organisms

Dead or alive: Benefits of probiotics need live organisms

By Stephen Daniells

The potential beneficial effects of select bacterial strains are dependent on the organisms being alive, says a new study that supports the WHO definition of probiotics as being ‘live microorganisms’.

Many positive opinions, many more negative in the latest batch of EFSA health claim missives

EFSA HEALTH CLAIM OPINIONS - ARTICLE 13, BATCH 5 (Complete)

EFSA publishes article 13, batch 5 – winners and losers

By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) this morning published 536 health claims in 73 opinions in the fifth batch of general function claims.

Russian probiotic market booming (with medical backing)

Russian probiotic market booming (with medical backing)

By Shane Starling

Russia’s probiotic market that has shown annual growth rates of around 50% in recent years and settled closer to 10%, is benefitting from medical profession support, according to a leading paediatrician.

No cause for change: EFSA affirms its rejection of Danone and Yakult dossiers

EFSA rejects Danone and Yakult probiotic appeals

By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims panel says there are no grounds for alteration of its rejection last year of probiotic health claim dossiers submitted by Danone and Yakult.

India is investing in probiotic research

India calls for probiotic research for women-children

By Shane Starling

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is calling on researchers to submit projects investigating probiotic benefits in women and children, and has set an August 15 submission deadline.

EFSA ha rejected a Valio probiotic gut health claim

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA rejects 86-study strong Valio probiotic gut health claim

By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority has rejected an article 13.5 health claim that sought to link consumption of the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, with gastrointestinal benefits.

Danisco on probiotic health claims: “We have made great progress”

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2011

Danisco on probiotic health claims: “We have made great progress”

By Jess Halliday

As the world’s biggest probiotic supplier Danisco has a lot at stake when it comes to the European Food Safety Authority’s ongoing refusal to validate the healthy bacteria’s ability to benefit gut health, immunity and more.

Nestlé Health Science buys $250m gastro diagnostics firm

Nestlé Health Science buys $250m gastro diagnostics firm

By Shane Starling

The new Health Science division Nestlé created last September has made its second acquisition by buying $250m a year US gastroenterology and oncology diagnostic specialist, Prometheus Laboratories Inc., for an undisclosed sum.

The success of prebiotics may be down to their beyond-the-gut versatility

Special edition: Prebiotics

Prebiotics: Misunderstood but not missing in action

By Shane Starling

Most consumers have never even heard of them, let alone understand their microbiota-building function. EFSA says they don’t work. And they live in the shadow of their more popular, accessible and bigger selling cousin, probiotics, yet sales continue to...

Start-ups hope EFSA will look more favourably on research designed with the agency's requirement in mind

Probiotic start-ups pushing new research to please EFSA

By Shane Starling

Spanish and British probiotics companies are driving funds into strain and product-specific studies as they attempt to build scientific backing that will survive in the European Union health claims clampdown.

Jeff Leach: Archaeologist turned entrepreneur

Special edition: Prebiotics

Prebiotic evolution: From earth oven to pizza oven

By Stephen Daniells

A clever combination of gut friendly food, consumer education and social media has made Naked Pizza a runaway success. Prebiotic-containing pizza bases will soon be hitting grocery stores, too, says the archaeologist who co-founded the company.

DuPont succeeds in Danisco bid

DuPont succeeds in Danisco bid

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

US chemical group DuPont has successfully completed its tender offer for Danisco, as 92.2 percent of outstanding shares in the Danish food ingredients firm were tendered by Friday’s deadline, DuPont said on Monday.

Prebiotic pasta shows metabolic promise: Study

Prebiotic pasta shows metabolic promise: Study

By Stephen Daniells

Consuming pasta enriched with prebiotic fibers may slow the emptying of the stomach and ease the rise in blood sugar levels after eating, says a new study from Italy.

Probiotic milk may alleviate fever: Yakult study

Probiotic milk may alleviate fever: Yakult study

By Nathan Gray

Milk fermented with Lactobacillus casei may help to alleviate fever caused by norovirus gastroenteritis by correcting imbalances of intestinal microflora, according to a new study.

Gutsy move? Lonza enters the probiotics game

Lonza becomes probiotic player

By Shane Starling

Swiss giant Lonza has plunged into the probiotics sector for the first time by licensing a gut ulcer battling Lactobacillus strain plucked from the 8000-strain strong vats of German contract research organisation, Organobalance.

Probiotic academic: ‘Just add water to probiotic health claims’

Probiotic academic: ‘Just add water to probiotic health claims’

By Shane Starling

A leading probiotics researcher says the ongoing uncertainty about endpoints and biomarkers in European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim evaluations, means the best chance for probiotic products to make claims is to combine them with nutrients...

Chr Hansen plans to re-submit probiotic for 13.5 claim

Chr Hansen plans to re-submit probiotic for 13.5 claim

By Jess Halliday

Chr Hansen is anticipating a negative opinion on its 13.1 health claim submission for its BB12 probiotic this week, due to lack guidance from EFSA when it was made, and plans to re-submit under 13.5.

EFSA health claims panellist edits probiotic claims book

EFSA health claims panellist edits probiotic claims book

By Shane Starling

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim panellist, professor Seppo Salminen, has co-edited a book investigating probiotic science and health claims, with a focus on regional differences.