Nexira celebrates FDA's acacia gum decision

Published: 4-Jan-2022

The company’s discussions with the FDA were at the forefront of the process, helping bring together other manufacturers to provide evidence for the beneficial effects of the fibre

Nexira has highlighted its role in the FDA decision to officially confirm acacia as a dietary fibre.

The company’s discussions with the FDA were at the forefront of the process, helping bring together other manufacturers to provide evidence for the beneficial effects of the fibre on blood glucose attenuation.

In 2019, the company launched a proprietary clinical study which supplied evidence acacia gum consumption has beneficial physiological effects on human health by attenuation of post prandial blood glucose levels. On behalf representatives of the acacia gum industry, Keller and Heckman LLP submitted a Citizen Petition in January 2021 to request the ingredient be recognised as a dietary fibre for nutrition labelling and claims on foods and beverages marketed in the United States.

The FDA has now confirmed acacia gum has physiological effects that are beneficial to human health, and is therefore in compliance with the dietary fibre definition. “Considering the strong scientific evidence on acacia fibre we were confident, but we are satisfied with the FDA decision to add acacia fibre to the approved list of dietary fibres,” said Olivier Bove, Nexira Regulatory Affairs Manager.

In terms of labelling and formulation, this outcome is particularly relevant for Nexira US customers who use its inavea and Fibregum products for fibre enrichment. Until the FDA completes rulemaking, the agency reportedly intends to exercise enforcement discretion to allow manufacturers to include the amount of acacia fibre in the dietary fibre declaration on labels.

“Acacia fibre is easy to use in a large array of nutritional applications and we are convinced it has a huge potential for food and drink developers who want to formulate healthy, natural and organic products. As the first Carbon Neutral brand of ingredients, inavea now carries additional claims, to satisfy the demands of manufacturers and end consumers,” said Mathieu Dondain, MD of Nexira. “Nexira would like to thank all of its customers for their patience and for believing in our acacia fibre and its multiple benefits. We extended our capacity in prevision of this promising outcome and are hoping to soon manufacture acacia products in the USA.”

You may also like