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

Following an application from Olygose, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of France, 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 AlphaGOS® and a reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses. Non‐digestible carbohydrates, including α‐galacto‐oligosaccharides in AlphaGOS®, are resistant to hydrolysis and absorption in the small intestine and therefore 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. A claim on non‐digestible carbohydrates and reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses has already been assessed by the Panel with a favourable outcome. The previous evaluation, including the proposed wording and the conditions of use, also applies to this application. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of foods/beverages containing non‐digestible carbohydrates and a reduction of post‐prandial glycaemic responses as compared with sugar‐containing foods/beverages.