EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to xanthan gum and changes in bowel function (ID 837) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to xanthan gum and changes in bowel function. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is xanthan gum. The Panel considers that xanthan gum is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “bowel functions”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to changes in bowel function. The Panel considers that changes in bowel function such as reduced transit time, more frequent bowel movements, increased faecal bulk or softer stools may be a beneficial physiological effect, provided that these changes do not result in diarrhoea. No human studies were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of xanthan gum and changes in bowel function.