Prebiotics in food and dietary supplements: a roadmap to EU health claims
Prebiotics in food and dietary supplements: a roadmap to EU health claims
Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits. However, at the present time, the EU has not permitted use of the term ‘prebiotic’ in connection with an approved health claim. This paper is the outcome of a workshop organized on the 25th October 2023 by the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI). It provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for authorized health claims in the EU, key areas of prebiotic research, and findings to date in relation to prebiotics and digestive, immune, metabolic and cognitive health. Research gaps and documentation challenges are then explored and a roadmap proposed for achieving authorization of ‘prebiotic’ in the wording of future EU health claims.
Tuohy, K.
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Vaughan, E.E.
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Harthoorn, I.F.
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Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Tuohy, K.
a8fdd946-bcaa-472d-9929-864de62a491a
Vaughan, E.E.
74de3096-d253-4b2c-8bbe-c70b13f88907
Harthoorn, I.F.
d9266f8b-fef5-4fe8-9851-89f3c69acfda
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Abstract
Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits. However, at the present time, the EU has not permitted use of the term ‘prebiotic’ in connection with an approved health claim. This paper is the outcome of a workshop organized on the 25th October 2023 by the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI). It provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for authorized health claims in the EU, key areas of prebiotic research, and findings to date in relation to prebiotics and digestive, immune, metabolic and cognitive health. Research gaps and documentation challenges are then explored and a roadmap proposed for achieving authorization of ‘prebiotic’ in the wording of future EU health claims.
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Accepted/In Press date: 30 September 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 15 November 2024
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Local EPrints ID: 495156
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/495156
ISSN: 1949-0976
PURE UUID: a4f99ef5-e71c-4d9f-8118-e271a6d104e8
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Date deposited: 30 Oct 2024 17:59
Last modified: 08 Nov 2025 02:34
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Author:
K. Tuohy
Author:
E.E. Vaughan
Author:
I.F. Harthoorn
Corporate Author: et al.
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