DuPont and Gelita apply for bowel and joint health claims
Gelita filed for a 13.5 health claim for its collagen peptide mixture Fortigel and its contribution to the maintenance of normal joint function. In 2011 a similar application for a claim on collagen consumption and joint health from the firm was rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
DuPont Nutrition Biosciences’ 13.5 health claim application was for lactitol and its contribution to normal bowel function.
According to EFSA’s register of questions, the applications were under consideration although a deadline for a decision was not given.
Joining the dots
Gelita’s Fortigel was taken orally after which it said it was absorbed intestinally and accumulated in cartilage. The company website claimed the ingestion of the product stimulated a “statistically significant increase of cartilage tissue metabolism”.
There are currently no authorised EU health claims for the consumption of collagen – although there are six for vitamin C and its contribution to ‘normal collagen formation’ for the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth.
A foodie sweetener and a medical laxative
Lactitol is a sugar alcohol derived from the milk sugar lactose used in the food industry as a reduced-calorie sweetener and medically as a laxative.
Last November DuPont researchers published a meta-analysis of 11 clinical studies backing lactitol for constipation relief.
Sweeteners like lactitol already hold an approved health claim for the reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses. DuPont said its lactitol had a glycemic index of three, meaning it could be used in diabetic foods.
Its ingredient could be used in pharma, bakery, confectionery, frozen desserts and fruit applications although it was unclear what conditions would apply to the claim.
The companies were not able to reply to our request for comment in time for the publication of this article.
