Ingredion wins EU approval for carrot prebiotic acquired from NutriLeads

Ingredion has secured EU Novel Food clearance for Benicaros, the upcycled carrot prebiotic it acquired from NutriLeads in June, opening the European market for an ingredient designed to support gut and immune health at low inclusion levels.

• The European Commission authorized Benicaros for applications spanning foods, beverages and dietary supplements, with commercialization permitted across the EU from July 2.
• Ingredion acquired Benicaros from NutriLeads in June through an asset deal covering intellectual property, trademarks, clinical trial data and manufacturing know-how.
• Made from upcycled carrot pomace, Benicaros is designed to support beneficial gut bacteria and immune health at a daily dose of 300mg.

Benicaros SF Pure P is produced from carrot pomace, a byproduct of carrot juice production, and enriched in rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I), a polysaccharide found within pectin.

Ingredion describes the ingredient as a prebiotic fiber that stimulates beneficial gut bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids. The company said human clinical studies have demonstrated immune health benefits, while its low effective dose addresses some of the formulation and tolerance challenges associated with traditional prebiotic fibers.

At 300mg per day, the functional dose cited by Ingredion is considerably below the maximum levels permitted under the EU authorization. Food supplements, for example, can contain up to 1,500mg per day for consumers aged over three.

The authorization also covers applications including breakfast cereals, cereal bars, fruit-based drinks, biscuits, soups and meal replacements, as well as milk, cream, cheese and yogurt analogues.

“This approval represents a significant milestone, unlocking the European market for a highly differentiated carrot fiber that addresses the limitations of traditional fiber ingredients,” said Sebastian Smith, Director of Fiber Fortification & Healthful Solutions at Ingredion.

“With Benicaros, we’re enabling our customers to deliver unique fiber benefits without compromising taste, texture, or added benefits to the label,” Smith added.

Ingredion said Benicaros is water-soluble, heat- and pH-stable and has minimal impact on the taste, texture or odor of finished products.

The company acquired Benicaros on June 2 through an asset deal with Wageningen-based NutriLeads. The transaction transferred ownership of the ingredient’s intellectual property, trademarks, human clinical trial data and manufacturing know-how to Ingredion.

“As we expand our functional ingredients offering, Benicaros’ versatility and health benefits makes it a perfect fit for our portfolio,” said Nate Yates, Ingredion’s Vice President & General Manager of Sugar Reduction & Fiber Fortification, when the acquisition was announced.

One regulatory distinction accompanies the approval. NutriLeads originally applied for authorization under the name “rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched carrot fibre”, but EFSA did not assess whether the material met the legal definition of dietary fiber under EU rules.

The European Commission concluded that using 'fiber' in the authorized designation could therefore mislead consumers about its nutritional properties and composition. The novel food was instead authorized as 'rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched carrot extract'.

The authorization took effect on July 2, shortly after Ingredion added Benicaros to its portfolio as part of its expansion into functional ingredients targeting fiber fortification, digestive health and immune health.

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