The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is embarking on a review of the evidence for the reported health benefits of dietary fibre components within food.
It is appointing a team to carry out the work, which is expected to start work mid-February and report back on its findings by mid-May 2008. The completed review will then be considered by the FSA’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which will agree the final draft of the document.
The review will examine the evidence on the health benefits of non-starch polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, resistant starch, lignin and inulin on metabolic health (including, insulin resistance and diabetes), cardiovascular disease, colorectal health (including colorectal cancer and prebiotic effects) and obesity, to help inform the definition of dietary fibre.
The team will also review any evidence on health benefits of functional foods containing oligosaccharides or polysaccharides.