The 13.5 ‘new function’ health claim, for chicory root fibres, confirms that inulin and oligofructose support a lower rise in blood glucose response levels.
In January, the European Food Safety Authority assessed a claim submitted by Beneo, Sensus and Cosucra Groupe Warcoing. It was agreed by the Standing Committee on Plant, Animals, Food and Feed at a meeting on April 12.
Under the ruling, the wording for the claim may read ‘consumption of food/drinks containing inulin/oligofructose instead of sugars induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/drinks’, when chicory root fibres are used.
First health claim
Beneo received its first 13.5 health claim for its chicory inulin relationship with ‘normal bowel function’ at the beginning of the year.
In addition to the authorised health claim, general health-related wellbeing claims under article 10.3 are also possible. Among others, these may include ‘lower and more balanced blood glucose rise’.
A 30% sugar reduction needs to be obtained by replacement with non-digestible carbohydrates such as Beneo’s inulin and oligofructose, according to the conditions of use.
Glycaemic control
The authorisation is based on several scientific studies, all of which confirm that oligofructose and inulin have a significant part to play in the area of glycaemic control.
In joint human trials conducted by Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow, inulin was shown to suppress appetite by about 15% compared with control groups.
The studies, revealed by Imperial College professor of nutrition and dietetics Gary Frost at Food Manufacture’s New Frontiers in Food and Drink conference in February, showed that inulin helped stimulate hormones secreted in the gut, such as peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1, which both aid appetite regulation.
- This article was amended on May 25 to reflect that the 13.5 health claim was submitted by Beneo, Sensus and Cosucra Groupe Warcoing, rather than Beneo alone.