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5822151FV
January 2015
EFSA gives positive evaluation on 13.5 health claim for BENEO’s inulin
improving bowel function
BENEO is pleased to announce that based on a 13.5 health claim application it has gained a
positive EFSA evaluation for its prebiotic fibre inulin improving the effect on bowel function by
increasing stool frequency. The application includes new and proprietary scientific research.
EFSA’s positive evaluation allows the approval by the Commission, the Member States and the
European Parliament within the health claim procedure and opens the way for new food and
drink applications to benefit both the industry and consumers alike.
The recent positive evaluation proves that BENEO’s prebiotic fibre inulin maintains normal
bowel function by increasing stool frequency without triggering diarrhoea. This is because inulin
resists digestion in the small intestine and is fully fermented in the large intestine.
EFSA’s decision is based on six human intervention studies that have consistently proven that
consumption of inulin increases stool frequency and thus supports digestive health. Significant
results were demonstrated with a total intake of 12g per day. While the recommended daily
intake of dietary fibre is 25g per day and actual intake is significantly lower, the positive
evaluation shows that adding inulin to a formulation improves stool frequency and also helps to
achieve the dietary goal of adequate fibre intake by the general population.
For many people, improved bowel function resulting from a more optimal fibre intake means a
noticeable improvement of gastrointestinal health and general well-being. Thanks to this
positive evaluation from EFSA, it will now be possible for BENEO’s customers to easily
incorporate the company’s inulin into a wide range of applications to allow consumers to benefit
from the positive effect it has on the bowel.
Anke Sentko, VP Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Communication: “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.
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Improved regularity in a natural way is a growing health target of consumers. The research
shows that BENEO’s chicory fibres ‘function’ and contribute to digestive health, offering new diet
related opportunities for the industry to respond to this consumer need.”
- ENDS The BENEO-Institute is an organisation 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.
www.BENEO.com
www.BENEOnews.com
For further press information, please contact:
Megan D’Arcy or Jo Kent at Publicasity
Tel: +44 20 7680 6500
Email: BENEO@publicasity.co.uk
For further information or interview requests, please contact:
Claudia Meissner, Corporate Communication Manager BENEO
Tel +49 621 421148
Email: Claudia.Meissner@beneo.com