1.1. Bifidobacterium breve BR03 (ID 2936)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Bifidobacterium breve BR03 related to the following claimed effect: “intestinal mobility”.
For B. breve BR03, a culture collection number from the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), DSM 16604, was provided. The DSMZ is an internationally recognised culture collection which has the status of an International Depositary Authority under the Budapest Treaty. In the DSMZ, cultures can be deposited in a restricted-access collection as patent deposits. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. breve BR03 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, ERIC-PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, B. breve BR03, which is the subject of the claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of B. breve BR03 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.2. Bifidobacterium longum BL03 (ID 2937)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Bifidobacterium longum BL03 related to the following claimed effect: “intestinal mobility”.
For B. longum BL03, a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16603, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. longum BL03 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for
further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, B. longum BL03, which is the subject of the claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of B. longum BL03 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.3. A combination of Bifidobacterium breve BR03 and Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (ID 2938)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of Bifidobacterium breve BR03 and Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 related to the following claimed effect: “reducing gastro- intestinal discomfort associated with increased transit time”.
For B. breve BR03, a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16604, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. breve BR03 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (ERIC-PCR, species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain B. breve BR03 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP01, a culture collection number from the Belgian Co-ordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM/LMG), LMG P-21021, was provided. The BCCM/LMG is an internationally recognised culture collection which has the status of an International Depositary Authority under the Budapest Treaty. In the LMG, cultures can be deposited in a restricted-access collection for safe deposit or for patent purposes. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP01 is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, a combination of B. breve BR03 and L. plantarum LP01, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of a combination of B. breve BR03 and L. plantarum LP01 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.4. A combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (ID 2941)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo- oligosaccharides related to the following claimed effect: “defence against upper respiratory tract infections”.
For B. lactis BS01, hereafter B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, since the species B. lactis has been reclassified as B. animalis subsp. lactis (Masco et al., 2004), a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21384, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. lactis BS01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species- specific PCR, Rep-PCR, MLST, and genome sequencing [publicly available at genbank, Project ID 59607]) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel considers that the strain B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 is sufficiently characterised.
For L. rhamnosus LR04 a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16605, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. rhamnosus LR04 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. rhamnosus LR04 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP02 a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21020, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP02 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP02 is not sufficiently characterised.
From the references provided, the Panel assumes that the fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are obtained from sucrose. They are prepared by enzymatic elongation of sucrose, and consist of a mixture of kestose (glucose-fructose-fructose, GF2), nystose (GF3) and fructosylnystose (GF4), with an average degree of polymerisation (DPav) of 3.6, and are sometimes referred to as short-chain fructo- oligosaccharides. FOS from sucrose differ from natural fructans by degree of polymerisation (DP) (only 10 % of native chicory inulin have a DP between 2 and 5) (Roberfroid, 2007), and differ from oligofructoses prepared by inulin hydrolysis (DP from 2 to 7, DPav 4) by the presence of a glucose moiety.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, a combination of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of a combination of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.5. A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 and Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (ID 2944)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 and Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 related to the following claimed effect: “relief of abdominal discomfort and pain”.
For L. acidophilus LA02 a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 21717, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. acidophilus LA02 at species and strain level, by
using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. acidophilus LA02 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP01 a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21021, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP01 is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, a combination of L. acidophilus LA02 and L. plantarum LP01, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of a combination of L. acidophilus LA02 and L. plantarum LP01 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.6. Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (ID 2965)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 related to the following claimed effect: “intestinal mobility”.
A culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21021, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, L. plantarum LP01, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of L. plantarum LP01 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.7. Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04 (ID 2968, 2969)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04 related to the following claimed effect: “balancing intestinal flora, improves skin, scalp and hair health” (ID 2968) and “reduce the daily number of bowel movements” (ID 2969).
A culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16605, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. rhamnosus LR04 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying annexes. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, L. rhamnosus LR04, which is the subject of the health claims, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of L. rhamnosus LR04 and the claimed effects considered in this section.

1.8. Bifidobacterium adolescentis BA02 (ID 3035)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Bifidobacterium adolescentis BA02 related to the following claimed effect: “intestinal motility”.
A culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 17103, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. adolescentis BA02 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying annexes. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, B. adolescentis BA02, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of B. adolescentis BA02 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.9. A combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR05, Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 and Lactobacillus

plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides or galacto-oligosaccharides
(ID 3047)
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR05, Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides or galacto- oligosaccharides related to the following claimed effect: “defence against upper respiratory tract infections”.
For B. lactis BS01, hereafter B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, since the species B. lactis has been reclassified as B. animalis subsp. lactis (Masco et al., 2004), a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21384, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, Rep-PCR, MLST and genome sequencing [publicly available at genbank, Project ID 59607]) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel considers that the strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01 is sufficiently characterised.
For L. rhamnosus LR04 a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16605, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. rhamnosus LR04 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. rhamnosus LR04 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. rhamnosus LR05 a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 19739, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. rhamnosus LR05 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. rhamnosus LR05 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP01 a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21021, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP01 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP02 a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21020, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP02 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP02 is not sufficiently characterised.
From the references provided, the Panel assumes that the fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are obtained from sucrose. They are prepared by enzymatic elongation of sucrose, and consist of a mixture of kestose (glucose-fructose-fructose, GF2), nystose (GF3) and fructosylnystose (GF4), with an average degree of polymerisation (DPav) of 3.6, and are sometimes referred to as short-chain fructo- oligosaccharides. FOS from sucrose differ from natural fructans by degree of polymerisation (DP) (only 10 % of native chicory inulin have a DP between 2 and 5) (Roberfroid, 2007), and differ from oligofructoses prepared by inulin hydrolysis (DP from 2 to 7, DPav 4) by the presence of a glucose moiety.
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are formed by enzymatic treatment of lactose with β-galactosidases with transgalactosylation activities to produce several oligomers of different chain lengths. In the reaction 4’- or 6’-galactosyl-lactose, longer oligosaccharides, transgalactosylated disaccharides and non-reducing oligosaccharides are formed. The microbial source of β-galactosidase affects the utilisation of the substrate by gut bacteria (Depeint et al., 2008). The Panel notes that there are different GOS with different chain lengths.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, a combination of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. rhamnosus LR05, L. plantarum LP01, L. plantarum LP02, and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides or galacto-oligosaccharides, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of a combination of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. rhamnosus LR05, L. plantarum LP01, L. plantarum LP02 and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides or galacto- oligosaccharides and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.10. Bifidobacterium longum W11 (ID 3056)

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Bifidobacterium longum W11 related to the following claimed effect: “relief of abdominal discomfort and bloating”.
A culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21586, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. longum W11 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Morelli, 2003; No authors listed, 2011). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, B. longum W11, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of B. longum W11 and the claimed effect considered in this section.

1.11. A combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus plantarum LP02, lactoferrin and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides

(ID 3059)
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis BS01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lactobacillus plantarum LP02, lactoferrin and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides related to the following claimed effect: “defence against upper respiratory tract infections”.
For B. lactis BS01, hereafter B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, since the species B. lactis has been reclassified as B. animalis subsp. lactis (Masco et al., 2004), a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21384, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of B. lactis BS01 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (enzymatic activity pattern, carbohydrate fermentation profile, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profiles) and genotypic (species- specific PCR, Rep-PCR, MLST and genome sequencing [publicly available at genbank, Project ID 59607]) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel considers that the strain B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 is sufficiently characterised.
For L. rhamnosus LR04 a culture collection number from the DSMZ, DSM 16605, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. rhamnosus LR04 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment. The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. rhamnosus LR04 is not sufficiently characterised.
For L. plantarum LP02 a culture collection number from the BCCM/LMG, LMG P-21020, was provided. Data on the identification and characterisation of L. plantarum LP02 at species and strain level, by using both phenotypic (carbohydrate fermentation pattern, enzymatic activity pattern, PAGE, antibiotic resistance profile) and genotypic (species-specific PCR, PFGE) methods, were provided in the application for further assessment and in the accompanying references (Del Piano et al., 2010). The Panel notes that the use of species-specific PCR as unique molecular technique is insufficient to ensure the correct assignation of the species identity, and considers that the strain L. plantarum LP02 is not sufficiently characterised.
Lactoferrin is a globular glycoprotein with a molecular mass of approximately 77 kDa which occurs naturally in cow’s milk. The tertiary structure of this glycoprotein has two iron-binding sites, which enables it to bind two Fe3+ ions per molecule of protein.
From the references provided, the Panel assumes that the fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are obtained from sucrose. They are prepared by enzymatic elongation of sucrose, and consist of a mixture of kestose (glucose-fructose-fructose, GF2), nystose (GF3) and fructosylnystose (GF4), with an average degree of polymerisation (DPav) of 3.6, and are sometimes referred to as short-chain fructo- oligosaccharides. FOS from sucrose differ from natural fructans by degree of polymerisation (DP) (only 10 % of native chicory inulin have a DP between 2 and 5) (Roberfroid, 2007), and differ from oligofructoses prepared by inulin hydrolysis (DP from 2 to 7, DPav 4) by the presence of a glucose moiety.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, a combination of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. plantarum LP02, lactoferrin and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01, L. rhamnosus LR04, L. plantarum LP02, lactoferrin and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and the claimed effect considered in this section.