Beneo Receives Positive EFSA Opinion on Health Claims

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J.BENEO announced EFSA gave a positive opinion for health claims related to Isomalt and Palatinose.  

The claims in question relate to maintenance of dental health and reduction of post-prandial glycemic response, or the low-glycemic effect.

The dental claims filed by BENEO stated that the claimed effects are dental health, remineralization of teeth, not cariogenic and do not promote tooth decay reflecting the scientific evidence that frequent consumption of sugars contributes to tooth demineralization."  EFSA concluded that consumption of foods/drinks containing ISOMALT or Palatinose, rather than easily fermentable carbohydrates such as traditional sugars, may help decrease tooth demineralization.

BENEOs glycemic claims established a cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of foods/drinks containing isomalt or isomaltulose (Palatinose) rather than traditional sugars and a resulting reduction in post-prandial blood glucose responses.

Anke Sentko, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Communication at BENEO said: We are relieved about this result that acknowledges the unique physiological characteristics of our longstanding and well-known polyol, ISOMALT, and in particular of our new functional carbohydrate Palatinose. Were pleased that the role of functional carbohydrates in helping to maintain dental health and in following a low-glycemic diet was accepted by the panel. We believe that this decision was based on sound science backing the claims and the result of the intense explanatory work conducted since 2009, as well as continual, constructive dialog along the way."