Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to non digestible carbohydrates and a reduction of post prandial glycaemic responses pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Beneo‐Orafti SA, Sensus BV and Cosucra‐Groupe Warcoing SA, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS) from inulin and a reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses. Non‐digestible carbohydrates including FOS are resistant to hydrolysis and absorption in the small intestine and do not contribute to post‐prandial glycaemia. This opinion applies to non‐digestible carbohydrates (e.g. non‐starch polysaccharides, resistant oligosaccharides and resistant starch) which should replace sugars in foods or beverages in order to obtain the claimed effect. The Panel considers that the food constituent, non‐digestible carbohydrates, which is the subject of the health claim, and the food constituent (i.e. sugars) that non‐digestible carbohydrates should replace in foods or beverages, are both sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that a reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses might be a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that consumption of non‐digestible carbohydrates results in reduced post‐prandial blood glucose (and insulinaemic) responses compared with the consumption of sugars on a weight‐by‐weight basis owing to the non‐digestibility in the small intestine and to a decrease in the amount of available carbohydrates, and that the consumption of foods/drinks in which non‐digestible carbohydrates replaced sugars induced lower post‐prandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses than sugar‐containing foods/drinks. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of foods/beverages containing non‐digestible carbohydrates instead of sugar and a reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses as compared to sugar‐containing foods/beverages.