ID 1558 - Glukomannan

PL: Glukomannan
EN: Glucomanan
Pdf: konjac mannan

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is glucomannan. Glucomannan (konjac mannan) is a water-soluble type of fibre composed of a straight chain of β-1→4 D-mannose and D- glucose units in a ratio of 1.6:1 with a small amount of branching (8 %) through β-(1→6)-glucosyl linkages. It is derived from the tuberous roots of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch). Glucomannan is non-digestible in the human small intestine. It has a high molecular weight (200-2000 kDa) and high viscosity in water solution. Glucomannan does not occur naturally in foods. It is a food additive used as an emulsifier and a thickener, and is also consumed in the form of food supplements (Katsuraya et al., 2003).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, konjac mannan (glucomannan), which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.7. Zmniejszenie ilości potencjalnie patogennych mikroorganizmów przewodu pokarmowego (ID 1558)

The claimed effect is “prebiotic action/bifidogenic action”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the capacity of food(s)/food constituent(s) to increase the numbers of bacteria considered to be beneficial. The numbers/proportions of bacterial groups that would constitute a “beneficial” colon/intestinal flora have not been established. Increasing the number of any group of microorganisms, including bifidobacteria, is not in itself considered as a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel considers that the evidence provided does not establish that increasing numbers of gastro-intestinal microorganisms is a beneficial physiological effect.
The Panel considers that decreasing potentially pathogenic gastro-intestinal microorganisms might be a beneficial physiological effect.

3.6. Zmniejszenie ilości potencjalnie patogennych mikroorganizmów przewodu pokarmowego (ID 1558)

Among the 23 references provided for the scientific substantiation of the claim were five human intervention studies, two animal studies, seven reviews and nine textbooks or guideline opinions.
The human studies provided were related to endpoints not related to the claimed effect (e.g. stool bulk, intestinal transit time, abdominal comfort, number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of glucomannan and decreasing potentially pathogenic gastro-intestinal microorganisms.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

2.5 – 5.0 g / day