BENEO, one of the leading manufacturers of functional ingredients, has announced a significant expansion for its chicory root fiber production facility in Chile by 2022, funded by an investment of more than 50 million Euro.

The root of the chicory plant is the natural source of the inulin and oligofructose ingredients that Sensus produces. 

The announcement follows a joint citizen petition requesting the addition of chicory root fiber to the list of dietary fibers accepted in the US as well as a comprehensive response to the FDAs scientific review of inulin-type-fructans and data request. In 2015, the FDA issued new Nutrition Facts labeling regulations for food and supplements to be implemented by January 1st, 2020. In the new regulation, dietary fibers are defined as naturally occurring fibers that are intrinsic and intact in plants, or as isolated or synthetic fibers that have demonstrated a beneficial physiological effect.

The decision was made following an extensive review by the FDA’s Nutrition Science Review team into a wide range of non-digestible carbohydrates. As a result, chicory root fibers inulin and oligofructose—natural non-digestible carbohydrates from chicory root—have a demonstrated health benefit and have been found to be in compliance with the dietary fiber definition, as outlined in the nutrition labelling regulations. 

BENEO will use this year’s Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, to celebrate the young company’s 10-year anniversary. Originally launched at FiE 2007 in London, BENEO has since focused on delivering better nutrition and health for people and animals. 

One very important ingredient in this is sugar - adults and children in many countries simply consume too much. We need to reduce the amount of sugar that we eat drastically. Various solutions to reduce the sugar content of food are available.

Sensus entered into an agreement to market organic inulin, sourced from agave, under its Frutafit® line of products. Frutafit® OAI is certified USDA organic and will help meet demand in the growing organic market.