Ingredients by Nature to distribute Galam’s GOFOS prebiotic fiber

09 Nov 2020 --- California-based nutritional ingredients supplier, Ingredients by Nature (IBN) is partnering with Israel-based Galam to distribute GOFOS – a prebiotic fiber from beet sugar. 

GOFOS is a short-chain fructooligosaccharide (sc-FOS) that acts as a soluble, prebiotic, non-digestible fiber.

“The partnership of IBN with Galam is a perfect match to bring this prebiotic to the American nutraceuticals market,” says Rob Brewster, president of IBN. 

IBN will distribute the sc-FOS ingredient solely to the nutraceutical industry as a viable alternative for fiber fortification amid shortages in inulin. 

Extreme weather conditions in Benelux and Chile limited the harvest of chicory, resulting in a a global inulin supply unable to meet demand. 

GOFOS for nutraceuticals 
Produced from non-GMO beet sugar by a proprietary enzymatic process, GOFOS helps maintain a healthy gut, according to Galam.

Galam notes that GOFOS is able to deliver benefits at as low a dosage as 2.5 g per day, while delivering a clean sweet taste. It boasts 30 percent the sweetness of sucrose and is highly soluble.

GOFOS is positioned for health benefits that include:

• The promoted growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
• Weight management.
• Blood sugar management.
• Enhanced immunity. 
• Increased absorption of calcium and magnesium. 

“In addition to providing GOFOS on its own, we will also be distributing the newly created GOFOS with ‘low water activity’ designed for greater stability when blended with our Brewster Brand probiotics, which have a symbiotic effect for enhanced immune support.”

IBN will distribute GOFOS solely to the nutraceutical industry.The ability for sc-FOS to help the body better absorb calcium and magnesium creates an opportunity for the ingredient to be included in mineral blends as well, according to the company. 

The ingredient is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) approved, Non-GMO, allergen-free, kosher and halal, and meets the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) monograph for fructooligosaccharides.

Demand for inulin
Despite shortages, inulin has seen increasing demand as consumers, in part due to the US Food and Drug Administration’s new guidance in June 2018 that approved inulin as a dietary fiber. 

The new classification led to a boom in fiber new product development in the following year. 

With the rise in fiber-containing foods formulated with inulin, food and beverage consultancy New Nutrition pegged 2020 as “The Year of Inulin.” 

Studies show microbiota power
Both fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are known for their effects on health, especially by stimulating beneficial microorganisms.

In April, a study revealed that younger mothers showed major changes in their microbiota profile after FOS supplementation, compared to less notable effects in older women. 

In May, FrieslandCampina Ingredients launched its Biotis GOS, a prebiotic fiber targeting several health claims. Notably, the ingredient had been researched for 15 years prior to its release. 

By Missy Green