Beneo-Orafti SA, a subsidiary of Südzucker Group, Germany, announced it has officially received FDA approval fortwo of its dietary fibers: Orafti Inulin and Oligofructose. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA’s) new food and nutritional labelling regulations, the Orafti chicory foot fibers remain classified as dietary fiber in the U.S., the company says.

After an extensive review of scientific research, the FDA confirmed that Orafti Inulin and Oligofructose are in compliance with the dietary fiber definition as laid down in the nutrition labelling regulation, it says. The decision was made following an extensive review by the FDA’s Nutrition Science Review team into a wide range of non-digestible carbohydrates, the company adds.

Anke Sentko, vice president of regulatory affairs and nutrition communication at BENEO, said in a statement, “Given the ever growing body of research in favor of our fibers, we never doubted this outcome, but are obviously delighted with the result of the latest ruling from the FDA.”  

“At BENEO, we are delighted with this outcome as we’ll continue our mission to bring healthier solutions to the American consumer,” the company said in a statement. “As people become more familiar with nutrition labels and look for recognizable functional ingredients, we offer them our Orafti fibers from the root of an ancient vegetable, chicory.

“With its ease of use, pleasant taste, excellent functionality for sugar and fat reduction, and digestive health benefits via its prebiotic power, chicory root fiber is the top choice to improve your products’ nutritional profile,” it adds.