A new health claim for Fibregum
As an exhibitor at the next HIE, Nexira will present the unique characteristics and the latest news on Fibergum. Fibregum is an all natural range, with a minimum guarantee of 90% dietary fibres, organic certified and the only non-GMO project verified acacia gum.
A new non-digestible carbohydrates health claim on glycaemia reduction is now applicable to Fibregum.
Since June 20th 2016, Fibregum, a range of acacia gum products, bears the health claim from
Regulation (EU) n°2016/854(1): Consumption of foods/drinks containing acacia gum instead of sugars induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/ drinks.
Nutrition has an impact on our health and well-being. Carbohydrate management can help with weight
and blood sugar control. That is why low digestible carbohydrate products and sugar substitution are
interesting for the food industry and consumers.
Through different evaluations, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) based its opinion on a
scientific consensus basis to conclude that sugar replacement in food and beverages by non-digestible
carbohydrates induces a reduction of postprandial glycaemia and insulinemia.
EFSA specified: “the characteristic which is most relevant to the claimed effect (i.e. reduction of
postprandial glycaemic responses by replacing sugars in foods and beverages) is not unique to
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), α-GOS and resistant dextrin but common to other non-digestible
carbohydrates (e.g. non-starch polysaccharides, resistant oligosaccharides, resistant starch) because,
similarly to FOS, α-GOS and resistant dextrin, non-digestible carbohydrates are resistant to hydrolysis
and absorption in the small intestine and therefore do not contribute to postprandial glycaemia.”
It clearly shows that acacia gum, as a non-digestible carbohydrate, benefits of this scientific consensus,
meaning that the validated health relationship is affordable for Fibregum.
In order to bear the health claim, at least 30 % of sugars should be replaced in foods or drinks by acacia
gum. Therefore, acacia gum is particularly adapted for Low or Reduced Glycemic Index (GI) products.
Fibregum also have benefits for oral care with a health claim on tooth mineralisation. Since 2016, Fibregum, a range of acacia gum products, bears the claim from Regulation (EU)n°2016/854(1): Consumption of foods/beverages containing acacia gum instead of fermentable carbohydrates contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation.
Good oral health is an important part of good overall health. Tooth demineralisation, or tooth decay,
concerned 44% of the world population in 2010 and thus constitutes a major global public health
challenge. Tooth demineralisation is caused by the interaction between the tooth surface, the
bacterial biofilm (dental plaque) and the presence of sugars from food. Therefore, risk behaviors like
eating and drinking foods and beverages high in sugar have impact on oral health.
Through different evaluations, EFSA based its opinion on a scientific consensus basis to conclude that
sugar replacement, in food and drinks, by non-fermentable carbohydrates, contributes to the
maintenance of tooth mineralisation.
EFSA specified: “the characteristic which is most relevant to the claimed effect (i.e. not lowering plaque
pH below 5,7 during and up to 30 minutes after consumption) is not unique to the food subject to the
claim, but common to other non-fermentable carbohydrates (e.g. polyols, D-tagatose, isomaltulose,
and polydextrose).”
It clearly shows that acacia gum, as a non-fermentable carbohydrate, benefits of this scientific
consensus, meaning that the validated health relationship is affordable for Fibregum.
In order to bear the claim, fermentable carbohydrates should be replaced in foods or drinks by acacia gum in such amounts that consumption of such foods or drinks does not lower plaque pH below 5,7 during and up to 30 minutes after consumption.
In addition, foods and beverages containing Fibregum and respecting these conditions of use, bear the claim Tooth friendly.
