BENEO welcomes the positive EFSA opinion on the company’s health claim submission on isomaltulose. The proposed claim that reflects the scientific evidence according to EFSA is “isomaltulose contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism”. EFSA concludes “that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the intake of isomaltulose and contribution to energy-yielding metabolism”. This effect is valid from the first gram of intake.
It is now up to the European Commission to lay down conditions of use and hopefully process this positive opinion into a health claim approval as soon as possible.
BENEO proposed the replacement of “other sugars” by isomaltulose in foods and /or beverages as part of the conditions of use for this health claim. This principle already applies in other approved health claims for isomaltulose. These are Art 13(1) health claims related to the lower rise in blood glucose and the maintenance of tooth mineralization .
This claim will help to increase consumer understanding regarding isomaltulose and its physiological and metabolic properties. Since the nutrition and health claim regulation is in place, communication of beneficial nutrition and health related aspects of foods and ingredients towards the consumer can only happen in the context of approved claims.
Isomaltulose, also called Palatinose™, is a novel food in the European Union and thus it is still new for consumers. Claims on pack help consumers to learn more about Palatinose™ to value the properties of this innovative ingredient to understand how it supports a healthy nutrition. BENEO believes this is particularly relevant as isomaltulose is an alternative sugar with unique physiological characteristics. Being low glycaemic, toothfriendly and providing the available energy carbohydrates are supposed to deliver, makes it an ideal carbohydrate.
BENEO looks forward to these additional options to communicate on pack. These will support consumers to make informed food choices and will encourage the food industry to continue with the development of innovative food and beverage products with health benefits.
i Isomaltulose and normal energy‐yielding metabolism: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – – 2021 – EFSA Journal – Wiley Online Library
ii Consumption of foods/drinks containing <name of sugar replacer> instead of sugar* induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/drinks * In the case of D-tagatose and isomaltulose this should read “other sugars”, Commission Regulation (EU) 432/2012 of 16/05/2012
iii Consumption of foods/drinks containing <name of sugar replacer> instead of sugar* contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation * In the case of D-tagatose and isomaltulose this should read “other sugars”, Commission Regulation (EU) 432/2012 of 16/05/2012