Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (DSM 6595, 67B) (ID 1078) and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms 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 Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (DSM 6595, 67B) 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 plantarum 299 (DSM 6595, 67B). The Panel considers that Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (DSM 6595, 67B) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “increase the amount of lactobacilli in the intestine/decrease the amount of enterobacteriaceae/inhibit pathogenic bacteria”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms might be a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed 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 Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (DSM 6595, 67B) and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms.