Ingredion has secured European Commission authorisation for Benicaros SF Pure P, its rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched carrot fibre, clearing the way for commercialisation across the EU as of 2 July 2026.

A novel fibre gets the green light

The authorisation follows a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority, which now permits use of the patented carrot fibre in certain foods, beverages and food supplements. Marketed as Benicaros SF Pure P, the ingredient is upcycled from carrot pomace and is plant-based, kosher, halal and gluten-free.

Sebastian Smith, director of fibre fortification and healthful solutions at Ingredion, called the approval a turning point for the category. “This approval represents a significant milestone, unlocking the European market for a highly differentiated carrot fibre that addresses the limitations of traditional fibre ingredients,” Smith said. “With Benicaros, we’re enabling our customers to deliver unique fibre benefits without compromising taste, texture, or added benefits to the label.”

Function without compromise

Benicaros SF Pure P is designed to work at a notably low dose — just 300 milligrams per day — while remaining water-soluble, pH and heat stable, with little to no impact on the taste, texture or odour of finished products. That profile positions it for use across functional foods, beverages and dietary supplements without the formulation trade-offs that have limited some traditional fibre ingredients.

On the health side, the fibre is designed to stimulate growth of beneficial gut bacteria and production of short chain fatty acids. Human studies cited by Ingredion point to effects on the gut microbiome and immune function, with increases in beneficial bacteria and their metabolites linked to interaction with innate immune cells and broader immune health support.

Fresh off an acquisition

The approval lands just weeks after Ingredion completed its acquisition of Benicaros in June 2026, and the company is positioning the ingredient as a marker of its wider push into science-backed nutrition. The EU authorisation gives Ingredion an early commercial runway for the fibre in one of the world’s largest functional food and beverage markets.

The EFSA clearance hands Ingredion a differentiated, low-dose fibre ingredient just as it integrates a fresh acquisition — a combination that could accelerate uptake among European formulators looking for fibre fortification options that don’t disrupt taste or texture. Whether Benicaros can scale beyond niche functional applications will likely hinge on how quickly customer adoption follows the regulatory green light.