29 May 2017 --- Food products containing Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 from the DuPont Danisco range have recently been recorded with the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency for Food with Function Claims. Currently, drinkable yogurts, yogurts and dietary supplements containing HN019 as a functional ingredient have been recognized for claims such as the improvement of microflora and defecation for those suffering from constipation by adjusting intestinal environments.

According to DuPont, this further validates the strong scientific evidence DuPont has on the link between digestive health and probiotics.

The Foods with Function Claims was first introduced in April 2015 to allow products to be clearly labeled with certain nutritional or health functions and to enable consumers to make more informed choices. Food business operators can make function claims on food labels when they submit to the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency necessary information including scientific evidence on food safety and effectiveness in accordance with the rules prescribed by the law before marketing the product.

“This is an important milestone for us. This recording of function claim on food labels will provide new opportunities for food, beverage and dietary supplement manufacturers to further promote this benefit to end consumers,” comments Hiroko Tanaka, regulatory affairs manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health, Japan.

Food manufacturers who use HN019 in their finished products will now have a more cost-effective and efficient way to utilize existing, robust data based on this strain. They will be permitted to print: “This product contains Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019). Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019) is reported to improve defecation for those suffering from constipation by adjusting intestinal environment” on their packaging labels.

“We are extremely pleased with this newly recorded claim on food products containing HN019,” says Yuta Nakazawa, DS Sales Manager of DuPont Nutrition & Health, Japan.

“This is a win-win situation for both our customers and their consumers, especially for small to medium-sized companies who do not have their own strains. They can now file for application with the Secretary-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency to include HN019 in their food products which allows them to make function claims on their food labels. This will definitely provide a competitive edge to companies to be better differentiated in the marketplace,” he adds.