Functional ingredients manufacturer, BENEO, is pleased to announce that the EU Commission has authorized a 13.5 health claim with proprietary use for its chicory root fiber inulin promoting digestive health.

Official wording for the claim is “chicory inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency.” From January 1, 2016, this proprietary claim is available for use by BENEO’s customers. By incorporating the company’s inulin into any food and beverage applications in combination with the health claim, manufacturers can help consumers to understand and benefit from the positive effect chicory inulin has on bowel function.

In addition to the authorized 13.5 proprietary health claim, general health-related well-being claims under article 10.3 are also possible. Amongst others, these include “chicory inulin promotes digestive health” or “chicory root fiber supports a healthy and balanced digestive system.”

Manufacturers that want to use the claim should consider that the beneficial effect is achieved with a daily intake of 12g chicory inulin and the consumer should be informed accordingly. The amount of 12g can be split up into several servings per day.

The science behind this health claim has been positively evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and included six human intervention studies that have consistently proven that consumption of Orafti® Inulin increases stool frequency and thus supports digestive health. Significant results were demonstrated with a proprietary study of BENEO for a total intake of 12g per day. While the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber is 25g per day and actual intake is significantly lower, the authorization shows that adding inulin to a formulation helps to improve stool frequency and at the same time to achieve the dietary goal of adequate fiber intake by the general population in an easy way.

The authorization confirms that BENEO’s prebiotic fiber inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency without triggering diarrhea. This is possible because inulin resists digestion in the small intestine and is fully fermented in the large intestine. For many people, enhanced bowel function resulting from a more optimal fiber intake means a noticeable improvement of gastrointestinal health and general well-being: Nearly three out of four European consumers eat products supporting digestive health because they feel it is good for their overall health .

“Improving regularity in a natural way is a growing health target of consumers,” says Anke Sentko, Beneo’s vice president for regulatory affairs and nutrition communication. “With the recent proprietary health claim for BENEO’s chicory inulin improving bowel function, our customers are well set to make the most of the ever-growing consumer trend of digestive health. At the same time the approval shows once again that BENEO’s commitment to strong scientific evidence of its ingredients is the right approach to contribute to the long-term benefit of consumers.”

The BENEO-Institute is an organization, which brings together BENEO’s expertise from Nutrition Science, Nutrition Communication and Regulatory Affairs teams. It acts as an advisory body for customers and partners reaching from ingredient approval, physiological effects and nutritional composition to communication and labelling. The key nutritional topics that form the basis of the BENEO-Institute’s work include weight management, digestive health, bone health, physical and mental performance, the effects of a low glycaemic diet in the context of healthy eating and disease prevention, as well as dental health.

The BENEO-Institute facilitates access to the latest scientific research and knowledge throughout all nutritional and regulatory topics related to BENEO ingredients. It provides BENEO customers and partners with substantiated guidance for some of the most critical questions in the food industry. BENEO is a division of the Südzucker Group, employs almost 900 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy.

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