Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to native chicory inulin and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)

Following an application from BENEO-Orafti S.A., submitted pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to native chicory inulin and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. The food constituent that is a subject of a claim is native chicory inulin. The Panel considers that native chicory inulin, a non-fractionated mixture of monosaccharides (< 10%), disaccharides, inulin-type fructans and inulin extracted from chicory, with a mean DP >= 9, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency ( provided that it does not result in diarrhoea) is a beneficial physiological effect. Six studies involving 86 subjects consistently showed that consumption of native chicory inulin at an amount of at least 12 g/day increases stool frequency. The Panel also notes the plausible mechanisms by which inulin and inulin-type fructans in native chicory inulin could exert the claimed effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of native chicory inulin and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: Chicory inulin contributes to maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. In order to obtain the claimed effect, 12 g of native chicory inulin should be consumed daily. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2015