“We are also targeting others,” says president
US firm targets Europe as it wins novel foods approval on corn-based prebiotic
PreticX - a non-dairy prebiotic derived from corn (Zea mays subsp. mays) containing a blend of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), received the approval from the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) for safe use in a range of products for the general population. The XOS prebiotic, available in syrup or powder form, can be added to baked goods, dairy products, fruit jellies, chocolate and soy-drinks, as well as supplements.
The prebiotic is manufactured by AIDP's European subsidiary XOS Longlive Europe Food Division – who filed for novel foods approval in May, 2016 – and is currently sold across North America with GRAS status from the US Food and Drug Administration.
According to AIDP, research shows XOS contains a “unique profile of beneficial bacteria” and “strongly fosters” bifidobacteria, one of the beneficial bacterias in the gut. In addition, the prebiotic has “low gastrointestinal side effects, differentiating it from other prebiotic ingredients”.
“The main components of the novel food, the oligosaccharides, are resistant to human digestive enzymes and are fermented by colonic bacteria,” wrote the NDA in the novel foods approval filing.
“...The information provided on consumption, specifications, production process and stability of the novel food, does not raise safety concerns.”
Bolstering multinational business
Mark Thurston, president of AIDP, said the European approval would open up market use for manufacturers currently using the prebiotic.
“We will indirectly benefit, as will our US customers, as XOS can now be included in global formulations. Before the approval, there was a tendency for [customers] to look at other lesser prebiotics because XOS was not able to be used in a product sold into Europe,” Thurston told NutraIngredients.
“It will certainly expand our sales and, yes, we are focusing on increasing our business with multinational companies.”
Thurston said the ingredient appeals to manufacturers looking for a “non-dairy, low dose prebiotic” as it is effective at just 1g per day.
Under the novel foods approval, daily anticipated intake does not surpasss 3.9g per day and maximum use levels range from 0.35% inclusion in soy-drinks and yogurts; to 1.4% in breads and cereals; and 3% in fruit jellies and chocolate.
Thurston said the prebiotic also has low water activity, enabling combination with probiotics in capsules or gummies without the need for large dose delivery systems like bulk powders.
Brain wave for further novel food approvals
In light of this approval, he said the company will now seek novel foods status on a number of other branded ingredients, in particular its 'Magtein' branded magnesium L-threonate ingredient targeting brain health.
“Very successful in North America, [Magtein] will require novel foods approval in Europe and we are on a mission to bring this ingredient to the European consumer,” he said.
