EFSA approves novel food status for AIDP's corncob XOS prebiotic

01 Aug 2018 --- Functional ingredients manufacturer AIDP has gained novel food status for its non-GMO, corncob XOS prebiotic, which is manufactured by LongLive, and sold in North America under the trademark PreticX, following approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This new designation allows PreticX to be used in Europe and benefits AIDP’s customers who have international brands. PreticX had previously achieved FDA Generally Recognized as Safe status.

The novel food is obtained from corncobs (Zea mays) via enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis and subsequent purification. The main components of the novel food – the oligosaccharides – are resistant to human digestive enzymes and are fermented by colonic bacteria. The intention is to add the novel food to a variety of foods such as bakery and dairy products, fruit jelly, chocolates and soy-drinks.

The launch of PreticX marked AIDP’s first foray into the digestive health space. The ingredient has been shown in clinical studies to significantly increase the proliferation of Bifidobacterium in both low and high doses. The company reports that the prevailing benefit of PreticX is that, contrary to probiotics, it is highly stable (does not require refrigeration), and can be used in food and beverage. Compared to other prebiotics, it can be used in small doses and thus reduces the chance of bloating.

“We are excited by the approval of our corncob-based XOS for food use in Europe, as this allows PreticX XOS-containing foods and supplements to be marketed internationally by our customers,” says Mark Thurston, President of AIDP.

Following an application by Longlive Europe Food Division, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on a mixture of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) as a novel food, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The Panel considered that the consumption of the novel food in the intended foods and at the intended use levels, in addition to the background dietary exposure of fiber, did not raise safety concerns.

It is hoped that the certification will boost AIDP’s presence in the booming digestive health market. “We see the potential in digestive health and particularly prebiotics. We think the benefits of XOS, and consequently PreticX, will provide a stand-alone platform for this ingredient,” says Kathy Lund, Vice President of Marketing and New Business Development at AIDP. 

Novel foods can be newly developed, innovative foods, foods produced using new technologies and production processes, as well as foods which are or have been traditionally eaten outside of the EU, as described by the European Commission. The underlying principles underpinning novel food status is that the food must be safe for the consumer, properly labeled and, if novel food is intended to replace another food, it must not differ in a way that the consumption of the Novel Food would be nutritionally disadvantageous for the consumer.