Documenti scientifici

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms (ID 989) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

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Summary

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 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms. 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 Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128. The Panel considers that Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 is sufficiently characterised.

The claimed effects “digestive health/intestinal flora” are not sufficiently defined but in the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to aspects of “maintaining/restoring the balance of intestinal flora”. The Panel considers that “maintaining/restoring the balance of intestinal flora” in the context of decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms might be beneficial to human health.

The Panel notes that none of the references provided related to the strain Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128, and considers that the evidence obtained for one strain cannot be extrapolated to another, given the strain-specificity of the effects.

On the basis of the data available, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms.