ÄMNESOMRÅDE

Inulin – fiber, cikoriaråvara och villkor bakom ett hälsopåstående

Inulin förekommer både som namngiven fiber och som en del av andra produkter. Råvarans sammansättning och den faktiskt deklarerade mängden behöver följa med när forskningsresultat används. [EFSA-INULIN] [EU-INULIN] [P017] [P018] [P038]

Separat granskad . Källornas egna datum framgår av underlagen.

Inulinets kedjor och råvarublandningen behöver skiljas åt

EFSA beskriver inulin som en fruktan med längre kedjor av sammanlänkade sockerenheter. Den bedömda cikoriaråvaran native chicory inulin är däremot en specificerad blandning av bland annat inulin, kortare fruktaner samt mono- och disackarider. Den sammansättningen behöver behållas när slutsatserna återges. [EFSA-INULIN]

Ordet inulin ger inte hela råvaruspecifikationen

För den bedömda blandningen anger EFSA en genomsnittlig polymerisationsgrad, ett mått på kedjelängd, på minst 9. Produktoriginalen här anger inulin eller cikoriarotfiber men inte denna fulla sammansättning och kedjelängdsfördelning. Därför är det inte fastställt att varje produkt innehåller exakt den råvara som yttrandet gäller. [EFSA-INULIN] [P017] [P018] [P038]

2 250 mg gäller inulin i en påse på 6 g

Fiberkomplex anger 2 250 mg inulin per påse på 6 g. Påsen innehåller också psylliumhuskpulver, kiwifruktpulver, akaciagummi och andra ingredienser. Hela påsens vikt och psylliumraden ska behålla sina egna betydelser. [P017]

En ingredienslista kan sakna en mängd för inulin

Puori M3 anger cikoriarotfiber, inulin, bland bulkmedlen. Näringstabellens 225 mg gäller magnesium per kapsel. Den ger ingen separat inulinmängd. En saknad mängd ska inte hämtas från Fiberkomplex eller fyllas med magnesiumraden. [P018] [P017]

BioSalma ZMA anger både oligofruktos och cikoriarotfiber, inulin. Tabellen visar mängder för mineraler och B6 vid en respektive två tabletter men saknar en separat fibermängd. Oligofruktos och inulin behåller sina två namn i originalet. [P038] [P018]

Fibermaterialet når tjocktarmen och jäser där

I EFSA:s bedömning beskrivs inulin och inulintypens fruktaner som kolhydrater som inte bryts ned i tunntarmen och som fermenteras av bakterier i tjocktarmen. En sådan mekanism kan bidra till förändrad avföring, men mekanismen ensam visar inte en viss produkts kliniska effekt. [EFSA-INULIN]

Bedömningen gäller avföringsfrekvens under särskilda villkor

EFSA:s yttrande från 2015 vägde bland annat samman sex studier med 86 personer som visade ökad avföringsfrekvens vid minst 12 g native chicory inulin per dag. Två andra studier med lägre mängder, 5–8 g per dag, visade ingen förändring av detta utfall. Det är resultat från de studerade uppläggen, inte en universell dosgräns för alla personer eller alla inulinmaterial. [EFSA-INULIN]

Studierna var små och olika: de pågick i en till fyra veckor och hade mellan 4 och 44 deltagare. Avföringsfrekvens var ofta ett sekundärt utfall, och statistiska jämförelser mellan behandlings- och kontrollgrupper redovisades inte alltid. EFSA fann ändå sammantaget stöd för det avgränsade sambandet. [EFSA-INULIN]

12 g är ett villkor för ett särskilt hälsopåstående

EU-förordningen 2015/2314 anger ett hälsopåstående om normal tarmfunktion genom ökad avföringsfrekvens och knyter det till minst 12 g per dag av den specificerade cikoriablandningen. Det är ett villkor för påståendet och inget personligt dosråd här. Mängden och den fulla råvaruspecifikationen är inte visade för varje produkt i exemplen. [EU-INULIN] [EFSA-INULIN] [P017] [P018] [P038]

Fler toalettbesök och en allmän hälsoförbättring är olika utfall

EFSA avgränsar nyttan till normal avföring genom högre frekvens, under förutsättning att det inte leder till diarré. Rapporten ger inte ett generellt besked om behandling av alla mag-tarmsjukdomar. Den framhåller också att yttrandet inte är en säkerhetsbedömning eller ett marknadsgodkännande för råvaran. [EFSA-INULIN]

Hela myndighetsrapporten och förordningen finns i källorna

Här har hela EFSA-yttrandets text från samtliga tolv sidor och hela EU-förordningen lästs, tillsammans med produktoriginalen. De enskilda försöksoriginalen har inte lästs separat. Det opublicerade underlag som EFSA använde för att fastställa användningsvillkoret har inte heller hämtats in här. [EFSA-INULIN] [EU-INULIN] [P017] [P018] [P038]

EFSA-yttrandet är daterat 2015 och är inte en ny genomgång av all forskning fram till 2026. Texten skiljer därför det bedömda råvarumaterialet, forskningsutfallet och den aktuella produktens deklaration åt. [EFSA-INULIN] [EU-INULIN] [P017] [P018] [P038]

Läs produktmängden tillsammans med rätt underlag

Produktlänkarna visar hela sparade ingredienslistor och näringstabeller. Ämneslänken går till registerposten för inulin; den certifierar ingen produktblandning. I källpanelerna kan du följa råvarans definition, studiernas begränsningar och påståendets villkor. [P017] [P018] [P038] [CHEBI-INULIN] [EFSA-INULIN] [EU-INULIN]

Att ta med

  • Skilj angiven inulinmängd från portionsvikt, magnesium och andra fiberingredienser. [P017] [P018] [P038]
  • Kontrollera både råvaruspecifikation och mängdvillkor innan du kopplar ett hälsopåstående till en produkt. [EFSA-INULIN] [EU-INULIN]

Exakta ämnesposter och forskningsvägar

Läs verkliga produktdeklarationer

Källor och hela underlag

EFSA-INULIN · European Food Safety Authority

Öppna källan

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URL: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.3951
Publisher: European Food Safety Authority
Source date: 2015-01-09
Scope: Complete web PDF-reader text of all12pages/382lines of EFSA Journal2015;13(1):3951; line-wrap/extraction artefacts retained; local raw PDF and pixels unavailable; not separately read cited trial originals or unpublished Schulz2012

URL: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.3951
Publisher: European Food Safety Authority
Document: EFSA Journal2015;13(1):3951, adopted11December2014, published9January2015
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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951
Suggested citation: EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2015. Scientific Opinion
on the substantiation of a health claim related to “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing
stool frequency pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951, 12 pp.
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.3951
Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal
© European Food Safety Authority, 2015
SCIENTIFIC OPINION
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to “native
chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool
frequency pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/20061
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2, 3
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
ABSTRACT
Following an application from BENEO-Orafti S.A., submitted pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No
1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies
(NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to “native
chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. The food constituent that is
a subject of a claim is “native chicory inulin”. The Panel considers that “native chicory inulin”, a nonfractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10%), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from
chicory, with a mean DP ≥ 9, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The Panel considers
that maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency (provided that it does not result in
diarrhoea) is a beneficial physiological effect. Six studies involving 86 subjects consistently showed that
consumption of “native chicory inulin” at an amount of at least 12 g/day increases stool frequency. The Panel
also notes the plausible mechanisms by which inulin and inulin-type fructans in “native chicory inulin” could
exert the claimed effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between
the consumption of “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of normal
defecation by increasing stool frequency”. In order to obtain the claimed effect, 12 g of “native chicory inulin”
should be consumed daily.
© European Food Safety Authority, 2015
KEY WORDS
inulin, chicory, bowel function, constipation, health claim

1
 On request from the Competent Authority of Belgium following an application by BENEO-Orafti S.A. Question No
EFSA-Q-2014-00403, adopted on 11 December 2014.
2
 Panel members: Carlo Agostoni, Roberto Berni Canani, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Marina Heinonen, Hannu Korhonen,
Sébastien La Vieille, Rosangela Marchelli, Ambroise Martin, Androniki Naska, Monika Neuhäuser-Berthold, Grażyna
Nowicka, Yolanda Sanz, Alfonso Siani, Anders Sjödin, Martin Stern, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Inge Tetens, Daniel Tomé,
Dominique Turck and Hans Verhagen. Correspondence: nda@efsa.europa.eu
3
 Acknowledgement: The Panel wishes to thank the members of the Working Group on Claims: Carlo Agostoni, Jean-Louis
Bresson, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Marina Heinonen, Ambroise Martin, Hildegard Przyrembel, Yolanda Sanz, Alfonso
Siani, Anders Sjödin, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Inge Tetens, Hendrik van Loveren, Hans Verhagen and Peter Willatts for the

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preparatory work on this scientific opinion.“Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 2
SUMMARY
Following an application from BENEO-Orafti, submitted pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC)
No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and
Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim
related to “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed
scientific evidence. The application includes a request for the protection of proprietary data.
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is “native chicory inulin”. The Panel
considers that “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10%),
disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with a mean DP ≥ 9, is
sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect.
The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is “improves bowel function”. The target population
proposed by the applicant is the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal
defecation by increasing stool frequency (provided that it does not result in diarrhoea) is a beneficial
physiological effect.
Six out of eight human studies provided reported an increase in stool frequency with the consumption
of “native chicory inulins” or chicory inulin. In these studies, the doses of “native chicory inulin” used
ranged from 12 to 40 g/day and the dose of chicory inulin, which was used in one study, was 15 g/day.
In two studies (three arms), administration of chicory inulin at doses from 5 to 8 g/day did not affect
stool frequency. No adverse effects have been reported in any of these studies.
In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that six studies involving 86 subjects
consistently showed that consumption of at least 12 g/day “native chicory inulin” increases stool
frequency. The Panel also notes the plausible mechanisms by which inulin and inulin-type fructans in
“native chicory inulin” could exert the claimed effect.
On the basis of data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been
established between the consumption of “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated mixture of
monosaccharides (< 10%), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with
a mean DP ≥ 9, and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. The Panel could
have reached the conclusion that “native chicory inulin” contributes to the maintenance of normal
defecation by increasing stool frequency without the study identified as proprietary by the applicant.
However, this study was used to establish the conditions of use for this claim.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of
normal defecation by increasing stool frequency”. In order to obtain the claimed effect, 12 g “native

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chicory inulin” should be consumed daily. The target population is the general population.“Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Background .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Terms of reference.................................................................................................................................... 4
EFSA Disclaimer ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Information provided by the applicant ..................................................................................................... 6
Assessment ............................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Characterisation of the food constituent........................................................................................... 6
2. Relevance of the claimed effect to human health ............................................................................. 7
3. Scientific substantiation of the claimed effect .................................................................................. 7
4. Panel comments on the proposed wording ....................................................................................... 8
5. Conditions and possible restrictions of use ...................................................................................... 8
Conclusions .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Documentation provided to EFSA ........................................................................................................... 9
References ................................................................................................................................................ 9

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Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 12“Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 4
BACKGROUND
Regulation (EC) No 1924/20064 harmonises the provisions that relate to nutrition and health claims,
and establishes rules governing the Community authorisation of health claims made on foods. As a
rule, health claims are prohibited unless they comply with the general and specific requirements of this
Regulation, are authorised in accordance with this Regulation, and are included in the lists of
authorised claims provided for in Articles 13 and 14 thereof. In particular, Article 13(5) of this
Regulation lays down provisions for the addition of claims (other than those referring to the reduction
of disease risk and to children’s development and health) which are based on newly developed
scientific evidence, or which include a request for the protection of proprietary data, to the Community
list of permitted claims referred to in Article 13(3).
According to Article 18 of this Regulation, an application for inclusion in the Community list of
permitted claims referred to in Article 13(3) shall be submitted by the applicant to the national
competent authority of a Member State, which will make the application and any supplementary
information supplied by the applicant available to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
STEPS TAKEN BY EFSA
 The application was received on 06/06/2014.
 The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly
developed scientific evidence.
 The scientific evaluation procedure started on 02/07/2014.
 On 08/07/2014, the Working Group on Claims of the NDA Panel agreed on a list of questions
for the applicant to provide additional information to accompany the application, and the clock
was stopped on 11/07/2014, in compliance with Art. 18(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
 On 25/07/2014, EFSA received the applicant’s reply and the clock was restarted.
 On 15/10/2014, the Working Group on Claims of the NDA Panel agreed on a list of questions
for the applicant to provide additional information to accompany the application, and the clock
was stopped on 23/10/2014, in compliance with Art. 18(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
 On 04/11/2014, EFSA received the applicant’s reply and the clock was restarted.
 During its meeting on 11/12/2014, the NDA Panel, having evaluated the data submitted,
adopted an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to ”native chicory
inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
EFSA is requested to evaluate the scientific data submitted by the applicant in accordance with Article
16(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. On the basis of that evaluation, EFSA will issue an opinion
on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of
normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
EFSA DISCLAIMER
The present opinion does not constitute, and cannot be construed as, an authorisation for the marketing
of “native chicory inulin”, a positive assessment of its safety, nor a decision on whether ”native
chicory inulin” is, or is not, classified as a foodstuff. It should be noted that such an assessment is not
foreseen in the framework of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

4
 Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and

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health claims made on foods. OJ L 404, 30.12.2006, p. 9–25.“Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 5
It should also be highlighted that the scope, the proposed wording of the claim, and the conditions of
use as proposed by the applicant may be subject to changes, pending the outcome of the authorisation

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procedure foreseen in Article 18(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 6
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT
Applicant’s name and address: BENEO-Orafti S.A., Rue L. Maréchal 1, B-4360 Oreye, Belgium.
The application contains a request for the protection of proprietary data for unpublished Schulz et al.
(2012) study report in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Food constituent as stated by the applicant
According to the applicant, the food for which this health claim is made is Orafti®Inulin. At the
request of EFSA the applicant clarified that “chicory inulin” constitutes the subject of the health claim.
Health relationship as claimed by the applicant
According to the applicant, the claimed effect refers to the ability of the fully fermentable dietary fibre
Orafti®Inulin to increase the frequency of bowel movements and thus to improve bowel function. The
frequency of bowel movements is used as primary outcome measure to assess the claimed effect of an
improved bowel function. Secondary outcome measures comprise the assessment of stool bulk, stool
consistency and transit time. Inulin resists hydrolysis and absorption in the human small intestine, but
reaches the large intestine essentially complete, where it is fermented to short-chain fatty acids, lactate
and gases by colonic bacteria. This is accompanied by an increase in bacterial cell mass and a higher
water content of digesta. In this way Orafti®Inulin leads to softer stools and facilitated excretion as
well as to an enhanced propulsion of colonic contents via chemical and mechanical stimulation of the
peristaltic reflex and hence an increase in the frequency of bowel movements.
Wording of the health claim as proposed by the applicant
The applicant has proposed the following wordings for the health claim: “Orafti®Inulin improves
bowel function”. Alternative wordings: “Orafti®Inulin improves bowel movements”, “Orafti®Inulin
contributes to more frequent bowel movements”, “Orafti®Inulin improves/contributes to/maintains
normal bowel movements”, “Orafti®Inulin contributes to/maintains a normal bowel function”,
“Orafti®Inulin contributes to/maintains a normal digestive function”, “Orafti®Inulin
improves/contributes to/maintains regularity”, “Orafti®Inulin imroves/contributes to/maintains bowel
regularity”.
Specific conditions of use as proposed by the applicant
The applicant has proposed an amount of 12 g Orafti®Inulin daily. The target population proposed is
the general population.
ASSESSMENT
1. Characterisation of the food constituent
The applicant initially stated that the food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is
“Orafti®Inulin”. In response to the EFSA’s request for clarification, the applicant explained that
“chicory inulin” is the food constituent that is the subject of the health claim.
Chemically, inulin is a linear β(2→1)-fructan with a degree of polymerisation (DP) > 9 which
typically has a terminal α-glucose (EFSA NDA Panel, 2010).
Chicory (Chicorium intybus) root is one of the plants with the highest concentration of inulin. “Native
chicory inulin” is extracted as a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides, disaccharides,
oligosaccharides (inulin-type fructans, DP 3 – 9) and non-starch polysaccharides (inulin, DP > 9).
Influencing factors for chain length distribution are growth conditions and harvest time as well as

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process technology. “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 7
From the information provided, including the human studies submitted for the scientific substantiation
of the claim, the Panel notes that this claim relates to “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated
mixture of monosaccharides (< 10%), disaccharides, oligosaccharides (inulin-type fructans) and
polysaccharides (inulin) extracted from fresh chicory roots characterised by its mean DP (> 9).
The Panel considers that the food constituent “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated mixture of
monosaccharides (< 10%), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with
a mean DP ≥ 9, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect.
2. Relevance of the claimed effect to human health
The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is “improves bowel function”. The target population
proposed by the applicant is the general population. At the request of EFSA the applicant clarified that
the claimed effect is “improves bowel function by increasing stool frequency”.
Constipation is associated with less frequent defecations (i.e. bowel movements, e.g. fewer than three
per week, reduced faecal bulk and harder stools), which lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and may
contribute to diseases, such as diverticular disease. More frequent defecations, i.e. bowel movements
(e.g. through a reduction in transit time, increased faecal bulk, and softer stools) may contribute to the
maintenance of normal defecation, provided that they do not result in diarrhoea.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency (provided
that it does not result in diarrhoea) is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Scientific substantiation of the claimed effect
The applicant performed a literature search in Caplus, Embase, Medline, and Biosis databases using
the following search terms: prebiotic or fructan or fructans or FOS or fructooligosaccharide or fructooligosaccharide or oligo-fructose or inulin or inulin-type fructans or oligofructose and bowel habit or
bowel regularity or bowel function or bowel motor function or bowel movement or large bowel
function or stool regularity or stool frequency or stool consistency or soft stool or stool weight or stool
bulk or gut function or gastrointestinal function or constipation or transit or faecal weight or faecal
bulk or faeces. No limits were given with respect to dates, languages and population subgroups. A
manual search was also carried out.
Ten human intervention studies were provided on the effects of “native chicory inulins” or chicory
inulin on stool frequency. One study was available only as a poster abstract (Isakov et al., 2013). The
Panel considers that sufficient information was not provided for that study to allow a scientific
evaluation. Another study was performed with “native chicory inulin” with a mean DP < 9 (Brighenti
et al., 1999). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientific
substantiation of the claim.
Six of the remaining eight human studies provided reported an increase in stool frequency with the
consumption of “native chicory inulins” (mean DP > 9) (Gibson et al., 1995; Kleesen et al., 1997;
Gråsten et al., 2003; Kleesen et al., 2007; Schulz et al., 2012 claimed as proprietary by the applicant)
or chicory inulin (DP > 9) (Den Hond et al., 2000). In these studies, the doses of “native chicory
inulin” used ranged from 12 to 40 g/day and the dose of chicory inulin was 15 g/day. In two studies
(three arms), administration of doses from 5 to 8 g/day did not affect stool frequency (Bouhnik et al.,
2007; Kolida et al., 2007). No adverse effects were reported in any of the studies mentioned above.
The mean DP of the “native chicory inulin” used in these studies was 9–11.
The Panel notes that these human intervention studies are very heterogeneous regarding the dose of
chicory inulin used, the form in which was administered (powder in sachets, in bakery products,
breakfast cereals, chocolate drinks), the duration of the intervention (from one to four weeks), the

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sample size (4 to 44 subjects), the type of subjects recruited (healthy volunteers, subjects with “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

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EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 8
constipations), the age of participants (23 to 76 years) and the study settings (free-living individuals,
hospitalised subjects, subjects in a metabolic room). The Panel also notes that stool frequency was
only a secondary outcome in the majority of the studies, and that statistical comparisons between the
intervention and control groups were not always reported. However, the Panel considers that, taken
collectively, these studies provide evidence for an increase in stool frequency with the consumption of
“native chicory inulin” at doses of 12g/day.
The applicant also provided six human studies showing the non-digestibility of inulin and inulin-type
fructans in the small intestine and their fermentation in the colon, leading to an increase in total
bacterial mass (Brighenti et al. 1995, Ellegård et al., 1997; Castiglia-Delavaud et al., 1998; Rumessen
and Gudmand-Hoyer, 1998; Van Dokkum et al., 1999; Marteau et al., 2011). Seven studies in different
animal species (dogs, cats, goats, rats, pigs) reported higher stool bulk and softer stools upon ingestion
of “native chicory inulins” (Delzenne et al., 1995; Diez et al., 1998; Hesta et al., 2001; Kleesen et al.,
2001; Pierce et al., 2005; Verlinden et al., 2006; Kara et al., 2012). The in vitro studies provided
related to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by bacterial degradation of inulin (Wang
and Gibson, 1993; Rycroft et al., 2001; Timm et al., 2010).
The Panel notes that inulin and inulin-type fructans in “native chicory inulin” are non-digestible
carbohydrates which could exert an effect on stool frequency by stimulating bacterial growth in the
gut and by increasing bacterial cell mass and faecal bulk. The Panel also notes that mono- and
disaccharides present in “native chicory inulin” in small amounts are unlikely to contribute to the
claimed effect.
In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that six studies involving 86 subjects
consistently showed that consumption of at least 12 g/day “native chicory inulin” increases stool
frequency. The Panel also notes the plausible mechanisms by which inulin and inulin-type fructans in
“native chicory inulin” could exert the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the
consumption of “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10%),
disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory with a mean DP ≥ 9, and
maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
The Panel could have reached the conclusion that “native chicory inulin” contributes to the
maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency without the data identified as
proprietary by the applicant (Schulz et al., 2012, unpublished). However, this study (Schulz et al.,
2012, unpublished) was used to establish the conditions of use for this claim.
4. Panel comments on the proposed wording
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Chicory inulin
contributes to maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency”.
5. Conditions and possible restrictions of use
The Panel considers that, in order to obtain the claimed effect, 12 g of “native chicory inulin” should
be consumed daily. The target population is the general population.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
 The food product, “native chicory inulin”, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides

[PDF page index 7-8]
(< 10%), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with a mean “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

[PDF page index 8]
EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 9
DP ≥ 9, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the
claimed effect.
 The claimed effect is “improves bowel function by increasing stool frequency”. The target
population as proposed by the applicant is the general population. Maintenance of normal
defecation by increasing stool frequency (provided that it does not result in diarrhoea) is a
beneficial physiological effect.
 A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of ”native
chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency.
 The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Chicory inulin contributes to
maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency”.
 In order to obtain the claimed effect, 12 g of “native chicory inulin” should be consumed
daily. The target population is the general population.
DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO EFSA
Health claim application on “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by
increasing stool frequency pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (Claim serial
No: 0416_BE). June 2014. Submitted by BENEO-Orafti S.A.
REFERENCES
Bouhnik Y, Raskine L, Champion K, Andrieux C, Penven S, Jacobs H and Simoneau S, 2007.
Prolonged administration of low-dose inulin stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria in humans.
Nutrition Research, 27, 187–193.
Brighenti F, Casiraghi MC, Pellegrini N, Riso P, Simonetti P and Testolin G, 1995, Comparison of
lactulose and inulin as reference standard for the study of resistant starch fermentation using
hydrogen breath test. Italian Journal of Gastroenterology, 27, 122–128.
Brighenti F, Casiraghi MC, Canzi E and Ferrari A, 1999. Effect of consumption of a ready-to-eat
breakfast cereal containing inulin on the intestinal milieu and blood lipids in healthy male
volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 53, 726–733.
Castiglia-Delavaud C, Verdier E, Besle JM, Vernet J, Boirie Y, Beaufrere B, De Baynast R and
Vermorel M, 1998. Net energy value of non-starch polysaccharide isolates (sugarbeet fibre and
commercial inulin) and their impact on nutrient digestive utilization in healthy human subjects.
British Journal of Nutrition, 80, 343–352.
Delzenne N, Aertssens J, Verplaetse H, Roccaro M and Roberfroid M, 1995. Effect of fermentable
fructo-oligosaccharides on mineral, nitrogen and energy digestive balance in the rat. Life Sciences,
57, 1579–1587.
Den Hond E, Geypens B and Ghoos Y, 2000. Effect of high performance chicory inulin on
constipation. Nutrition Research, 20, 731–736.
Diez M, Hornick JL, Baldwin P, Van Eenaeme C and Istasse L, 1998. The influence of sugar-beet
fibre, guar gum and inulin on nutrient digestibility, water consumption and plasma metabolites in
healthy Beagle dogs. Research in Veterinary Science, 64, 91–96.
EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2010. Scientific
Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre. EFSA Journal

[PDF page index 8-9]
2010;8(3):1462, 77 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1462 “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

[PDF page index 9]
EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 10
Ellegård L, Andersson H and Bosaeus I, 1997. Inulin and oligofructose do not influence the absorption
of cholesterol, or the excretion of cholesterol, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, or bile acids but increases energy
excretion in ileostomy subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 51, 1–5.
Gibson GR, Beatty ER, Wang X and Cummings JH, 1995. Selective stimulation of Bifidobacteria in
the human colon by oligofructose and inulin. Gastroenterology, 108, 975–982.
Gråsten S, Liukkonen K, Chrevatidis A, El-Nezami H, Poutanen K and Mykkänen H, 2003. Effects of
wheat pentosan and inulin on the metabolic activity of fecal microbiota and on bowel function in
healthy humans. Nutrition Research, 23, 1503–1514.
Hesta M, Janssens GPJ, Debraekeleer J and De Wilde R, 2001. The effect of oligofructose and inulin
on faecal characteristics and nutrient digestibility in healthy cats. Journal of Animal Physiology and
Animal Nutrition, 85, 135–141.
Isakov V, Pilipenko V, Shakhovskaya A and Tutelyan V, 2013. Efficacy of inulin enriched yogurt on
bowel habits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A pilot study. The
FASEB Journal, 27, lb426.
Kara C, Orman A, Gencoglu H, Kovanlikaya A, Meral Y, Cetin I, Yibar A, Kasap S, Turkmen I and
Deniz G, 2012. Effects of inulin supplementation of selected faecal characteristics and health of
neonatal Saanen kids sucking milk from their dams. Animal, 6, 1947–1954.
Kleessen B, Sykura B, Zunft H and Blaut M, 1997. Effects of inulin and lactose on fecal microflora,
microbial activity, and bowel habit in elderly constipated persons. American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, 65, 1397–1402.
Kleesen B, Hartmann L and Blaut M, 2001. Oligofructose and long-chain inulin: influence on the gut
microbial ecology of rats associated with a human faecal flora. British Journal of Nutrition, 86,
291–300.
Kleessen B, Schwarz S, Boehm A, Fuhrmann H, Richter A, Henle T and Krueger M, 2007. Jerusalem
artichoke and chicory inulin in bakery products affect faecal microbiota of healthy volunteers.
British Journal of Nutrition, 98, 540–549.
Kolida S, Meyer G and Gibson GR, 2007. A double-blind placebo-controlled study to establish the
bifidogenic dose of inulin in healthy humans. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61, 1189–
1195.
Marteau P, Jacobs H, Cazaubiel M, Signoret C, Prevel JM and Housez B, 2011. Effects of chicory
inulin in constipated elderly people: a double-blind controlled trial. International Journal of Food
Sciences and Nutrition, 62, 164–170.
Pierce KM, Sweeney T, Brophy PO, Callan JJ, McCarthy P and O’Doherty JV, 2005. Dietary
manipulation post weaning to improve piglet performance and gastro-intestinal health. Animal
Science, 81, 347–356.
Rumessen JJ and Gudmand-Hoyer E, 1998. Fructans of chicory intestinal transport and fermentation
of different chain lengths and relation to fructose and sorbitol malabsorption. American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, 68, 357–364.
Rycroft CE, Jones MR, Gibson GR and Rastall RA, 2001. A comparative in vitro evaluation of the
fermentation properties of prebiotic oligosaccharides. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 91, 878–
887.
Schulz A and Schön C, 2012. Effect of consumption of inulin on bowel motor function in subjects
with constipation (unpublished study report).
Timm DA, Stewart ML, Hospttankar A and Slavin JL, 2010. Wheat dextrin, psyllium, and inulin
produce distinct fermentation patterns, gas volumes, and short-chain fatty acids profiles in vivo.

[PDF page index 9-10]
Journal of Medicinal Food, 13, 961–966. “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

[PDF page index 10]
EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 11
Van Dokkum W, Wezendonk B, Srikumar TS and van den Heuvel EGHM, 1999. Effect of
nondigestible oligosaccharides on large-bowel functions, blood lipid concentrations and glucose
absorption in young healthy male subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 53, 1–7.
Verlinden A, Hesta M, Hermans JM and Janssens GPJ, 2006. The effects of inulin supplementation of
diets with or without hydrolysed protein sources on digestibility, faecal characteristics,
haematology and immunoglobulins in dogs. British Journal of Nutrition, 96, 936–944.
Wang X and Gibson GR, 1993. Effects of the in vitro fermentation of oligofructose and inulin by

[PDF page index 10-11]
bacteria growing in the human large intestine. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 75, 373–380. “Native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation

[PDF page index 11]
EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951 12
ABBREVIATIONS
DP degree of polymerisation
FOS fructooligosaccharides
SCFA short-chain fatty acids
P017 · Produktdeklaration

Läs produktdeklarationen på ActiQs

Inulin, kiwifruktpulver (Actinidia deliciosa), psylliumhuskpulver (Plantago psyllium), akaciagummi, grön bananmjöl (Musa × paradisiaca), kalcium (kalciumkarbonat).
Innehåll	Per påse (6 g)	%DRI*
Inulin	2 250 mg	**
Kiwifruktpulver	1 200 mg	**
Psylliumhuskpulver	1 000 mg	**
Akaciagummi	500 mg	**
Grön bananmjöl	500 mg	**
Kalcium	120 mg	15 %
P018 · Produktdeklaration

Läs produktdeklarationen på ActiQs

Mineraler (magnesium (magnesium taurat, magnesium glukonat), zink (zinkpikolinat), bulkmedel (cikoriarotfiber (inulin), magnesiumstearat), vegetabiliska kapslar (HPMC), äppelsyra, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5’-fosfat)
Näringsinnehåll	
Per 1 kapsel	
% av DRI*	





Magnesium (taurat & glukonat)	
225 mg	
60 %	



Zink (pikolinat)	
8 mg	
80 %	



Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-fosfat)	
4 mg	
286 %	




*Dagligt referensintag
P038 · Produktdeklaration

Läs produktdeklarationen på ActiQs

Magnesium (magnesiumcitrat, marin magnesiumhydroxid), oligofruktos, cikoriarotfiber (inulin), bindemedel (cellulosa, vegetabiliska magnesiumsalter av fettsyror, tvärbunden natriumkarboximetylcellulosa), klumpförebyggande medel (kalciumfosfater), zink (zinkpikolinat), koppar (kopparsulfat), vitamin B6 (pyridoxinhydroklorid), ytbehandlingsmedel (hydroxipropylmetylcellulosa), färgämne (kalciumkarbonat).
Näringsinnehåll	
1 tablett	
*%RDI	
2 tabletter	
*%RDI	



Magnesium	
200 mg	
53%	
400 mg	
106%	



Zink	
5 mg	
50%	
10 mg 	
100%	



Koppar	
0,5 mg	
50%	
1 mg	
100%	



Vitamin B6	
0,7 mg	
50%	
1,4 mg	
100%	




*%RDI = Rekommenderat dagligt intag
EU-INULIN · European Commission · EUR-Lex

Öppna källan

Whole original regulation2015/2314 including every recital, article, annex and footnote; not an independent safety assessment or individual trial original

URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32015R2314
Publisher: European Commission · EUR-Lex
Source date: 2015-12-07
Scope: Whole original regulation2015/2314 including every recital, article, annex and footnote; not an independent safety assessment or individual trial original

12.12.2015
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 328/46
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2015/2314
of 7 December 2015
authorising a health claim made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health and amending Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods
(
1
)
, and in particular Article 18(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 provides that health claims made on foods are prohibited unless they are authorised by the Commission in accordance with that Regulation and included in a list of permitted claims.
(2)
Pursuant to Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
(
2
)
was adopted, which establishes a list of permitted health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health.
(3)
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 provides that applications for authorisations of health claims are to be submitted by food business operators to the national competent authority of a Member State. The national competent authority is to forward valid applications to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), hereinafter referred to as ‘the Authority’, for a scientific assessment, as well as to the Commission and the Member States for information.
(4)
The Commission is to decide on the authorisation of health claims taking into account the opinion delivered by the Authority.
(5)
In order to stimulate innovation, health claims which are based on newly developed scientific evidence and/or which include a request for the protection of proprietary data shall undergo an accelerated type of authorisation.
(6)
Following an application from BENEO-Orafti S.A., submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and including a request for protection of proprietary data, the Authority was required to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to native chicory inulin and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency (Question No EFSA-Q-2014-00403
(
3
)
). The claim proposed by the applicant was worded, inter alia, as follows: ‘Orafti®Inulin improves bowel function’.
(7)
On 9 January 2015, the Commission and the Member States received the scientific opinion from the Authority which concluded that on the basis of the data presented a cause and effect relationship had been established between the consumption of native chicory inulin, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10 %), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory with a mean degree of polymerisation ≥ 9, and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. Accordingly, a health claim reflecting this conclusion should be considered as complying with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and should be included in the Union list of permitted claims, established by Regulation (EU) No 432/2012.
(8)
The Authority indicated in its opinion that the one study claimed as proprietary
(
4
)
by the applicant was required to establish conditions of use for this specific claim.
(9)
All the justifiable information provided by the applicant has been assessed by the Commission and it is considered that the requirements laid down in Article 21(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 are fulfilled for the study claimed as proprietary. Accordingly, the scientific data and other information included in that study may not be used for the benefit of a subsequent applicant for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, under the conditions laid down in Article 21(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
(10)
One of the objectives of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 is to ensure that health claims are truthful, clear and reliable and useful to the consumer, and that the wording and the presentation are taken into account in that respect. Therefore, where the wording of claims used by the applicant has the same meaning for consumers as that of an authorised health claim, because they demonstrate the same relationship that exists between a food category, a food or one of its constituents and health, these claims should be subject to the same conditions of use as those listed in the Annex to this Regulation.
(11)
In accordance with Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the Register of nutrition and health claims containing all authorised health claims should be updated in order to take into account this Regulation.
(12)
Since the applicant claims protection of proprietary data, it is considered appropriate to restrict the use of this claim in favour of the applicant for a period of five years. However, the authorisation of this claim restricted for the use of an individual operator should not prevent other applicants from applying for authorisation to use the same claim in case the application is based on data and studies other than those protected under Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
(13)
The comments from the applicant received by the Commission pursuant to Article 16(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 have been considered when setting the measures provided for in this Regulation.
(14)
Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(15)
The Member States have been consulted,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1.   The health claim set out in the Annex to this Regulation shall be included in the Union list of permitted claims as provided for in Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
2.   The use of the health claim referred to in the first paragraph shall be restricted to the applicant for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. After the expiry of that period, that health claim may be used, in conformity with the conditions applying to it, by any food business operator.
Article 2
The scientific data and other information included in the application, which are claimed by the applicant as proprietary and without the submission of which the health claim could not have been authorised are restricted for use for the benefit of the applicant for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation under the conditions laid down in Article 21(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Article 3
The Annex to Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 4
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the
Official Journal of the European Union
.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 7 December 2015.
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude JUNCKER
(
1
)
OJ L 404, 30.12.2006, p. 9
.
(
2
)
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health (
OJ L 136, 25.5.2012, p. 1
).
(
3
)
EFSA Journal 2015;13(1):3951.
(
4
)
Schulz A and Schön C, 2012. Effect of consumption of inulin on bowel motor function in subjects with constipation (unpublished study report).
ANNEX
In the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, the following entry is inserted in an alphabetical order:
Nutrient, substance, food or food category
Claim
Conditions of use of the claim
Conditions and/or restrictions of use of the food and/or additional statement or warning
EFSA Journal number
Relevant entry number in the Consolidated List submitted to EFSA for its assessment
‘Native chicory inulin
Chicory inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency
(
*1
)
Information shall be provided to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 12 g chicory inulin.
The claim can be used only for food which provides at least a daily intake of 12 g of native chicory inulin, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10 %), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with a mean degree of polymerisarion ≥ 9.
2015;13(1):3951
(
*1
)
Authorised on 1 January 2016 restricted to the use of BENEO-Orafti S.A., Rue L. Maréchal 1, B-4360 Oreye, Belgium, for a period of five years.’
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CHEBI-INULIN · ChEBI · EMBL-EBI

Öppna källan

Full current exact imported definitions of distinct identities; not an identity merge

{"id":"chebi-15443","version_id":"fca7b41e-1058-4324-9458-6998834f80e2","name":"inulin","definition":""}