Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to xanthan gum and increased satiety (ID 838) 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 a health claim in relation to xanthan gum and increased satiety. 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, which is a polysaccharide used as a food additive. The Panel considers that xanthan gum is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “appetite control”. The target population is assumed to be individuals who need to control their energy intake. In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to satiety. In the context of this Opinion, satiety is interpreted as the decrease in the motivation to eat after consumption of food leading to a reduction in energy intake. The Panel considers that an increase in satiety might be a beneficial physiological effect. 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 increased satiety.