The prebiotic landscape: history, health and physiological benefits, and regulatory challenges – an IPA perspective part 1

What is it about?

Prebiotics are becoming increasingly recognized by consumers, health care professionals and regulators as important contributors to health. Nonetheless, the development, progress, and adoption of prebiotics is hindered by loose terminology, various misconceptions about sources and types of compounds that may be classified as prebiotics, and the lack of consensus on a definition that satisfies regulators. Globally, scientists, manufacturers, and marketers have adopted different definitions to suit their own interests and purposes, leading to confusion among consumers and health care professionals. The pathway to regulatory acceptance and to reduce/eliminate confusion is a definition that puts the focus on the consumer, and the benefits that consumers can realize from consumption of prebiotics. This consumer-focused approach, supported by science, will also align with regulators and support broader regulatory approval of prebiotics as a category. In this review, we introduce criteria and a decision tree to classify compounds as prebiotics, supported by the scientific literature to date. The safety and efficacy of prebiotics is also reviewed, along with effective doses and limitations associated with prebiotic use. We also identify misconceptions that can be addressed in communications to consumers and health care professionals. Manufacturing guidelines and the current regulatory status of prebiotics in various jurisdictions are also reviewed.

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