Aug 25 2011 --- Eight months after the positive opinion issued by EFSA on the dossier submitted by the Solvay teams on galactofructose, the European authority in July 2011 has made its final opinion on health claims.

First conclusions can now be drawn, and the ingredient galactofructose emerges as one of the winners, as a non-digestible and fermentable soluble carbohydrates which benefits from a positive health claim issued by EFSA.

Indeed, it was accepted by the European authority that galactofructose reduces intestinal transit time. When too slow, this transit is recognized as a cause of unpleasant digestive feelings. The transit regulating effect of the galactofructose therefore provides a recognized physiological benefit.

Under its brand of nutritional ingredients Solactis, Solvay continues to actively promote this ingredient. "The Solvay Group is reviewing its position as a supplier to the food industry. My colleagues of the various entities of the Solvay Group also provide the industry with renown products such as sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate or polyglycerols for exemple. The galactofructose is innovative and offers our customers a reliable entry point to the growing segment of food benefiting from a health claim" said Pascal Ronfard, the Program Manager at Innovation Center.

Solvay is also continuing its contacts with European authorities, as galactofructose has a broad scientific base that has not yet revealed all its secrets. An ingredient known since the 50's for its health benefits and which has not finished to reveal its potential.