Clasado Biosciences’ prebiotic ingredient scores seven novel FSANZ substantive claims

25 Aug 2023 --- Clasado Biosciences has secured an additional seven self-substantiated food-health claims with Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) for its prebiotic galactooligosaccharide (GOS) ingredient, Bimuno GOS.

Targeted at elite athletes and focused on gut and immune health, Bimuno GOS now has 29 claims attributed to it. The claims, which can be featured on food products containing Bimuno GOS, are underpinned by scientific studies and clinical trials.

“To secure these claims, the science behind Bimuno GOS has gone through a rigorous and independent systematic review to ensure there is strong scientific substantiation behind these claims,” Lucie Nagy, general counsel for Clasado Biosciences, tells Nutrition Insight.

“Following this, the claims were notified to FSANZ, and they have now been added to the FSANZ list of food-health relationships.”

From gut to digestive health support
The claims were submitted in collaboration with Pathway International, the distributor of Bimuno GOS. The new range of claims includes benefits to gut health, supporting digestive well-being and maintaining a healthy digestive system in seven days.

In addition, Bimuno GOS supports gut and immune health and may reduce the incidence and severity of mild gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by elite athletes. It may also reduce the duration of minor upper respiratory symptoms by two days in elite athletes.Including the seven substantiated claims approved for Bimuno GOS, the prebiotic now has 29.

Nagy notes: “An independent systematic review consists of methods which identify, select, critically appraise, extract and analyze data from research. For food-health relationships, the supporting evidence must include human studies and cannot be established from in vitro studies in silo.” 

“In addition, demonstration of causality must be established, based on the quality and quantity of direct evidence which investigates the food-health relationship.”

Bimuno GOS has a potential role in enhancing immune function, particularly in reducing inflammation. The prebiotic is pegged as the most researched, with over 100 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials, supporting its safety and efficacy.

Substantial portfolio
Bimuno GOS is supported by more than 110 scientific publications and over 20 clinical trials. The ingredient has a low efficacious dose, beginning from 1.37 g a day.

“Clasado has continually invested in the science behind Bimuno GOS since 2005. Therefore, when all the supporting data was finalized, the process to regulatory approval by FSANZ was relatively quick in contrast to other markets,” explains Nagy. 

“As the science and regulation around prebiotics develop, there is significant opportunity for health and nutrition brands in supporting gastrointestinal, immune, cognitive and athletic health. Through the hard work of our regulatory team, formulators can access these claims for their products.”

Meanwhile, Clasado Biosciences has signed a distribution agreement with Cosmic Concord, the functional ingredient business unit of 3C Group, to bring the proprietary prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno GOS, to the health market in Thailand.

By Inga de Jong