Bimuno® GOS approved by Health Canada for use in Natural Health Products and obtains 10 health claims

Marking the next step in its ambitious global expansion strategy, Clasado has revealed that Canadian health and wellness regulatory body, Health Canada, has granted its prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno® GOS, approval for use in Natural Health Products (NHPs), alongside obtaining 10 health claims that can be featured on products containing Bimuno GOS.

The development, which enables the use of Bimuno GOS in Natural Health Products in the Canadian market, highlights the exciting science-backed potential of the ingredient for formulators.

The latest round of approved claims build on the regulatory success of the unique galactooligosaccharide (GOS), in addition to its Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) self-substantiated claims, approval from Food & Drink Administration (FDA) Philippines and support for USA structure and function claims. 

In her role as the company’s lead on regulatory and legal affairs, Lucie Nagy, General Counsel at Clasado Biosciences, comments: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Bimuno GOS to be approved by Health Canada for use in NHPs in addition to securing 10 health claims, to further underpin the regulatory success of Bimuno GOS. Regulatory bodies today are rightly stringent in their processing of health claims; the bottom line science has to be exemplary, so it’s extremely rewarding for our team to see another step forwards in this arena. 

“Moreover, the approval highlights some of the key areas of efficacy for Bimuno GOS, including its influence on gastrointestinal health and immunity. With the science evidence behind prebiotic fibre advancing at speed, there is a very bright future ahead of the prebiotics category and we are seeing significant regulatory progress being made on a number of health and wellness fronts.”

The 10 claims approved by Health Canada, which can be used on the packaging of products that include Bimuno GOS, include:

• A source of prebiotic fibre. 
• Helps support and maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Helps support and/or maintain a healthy digestive system in just 7 days.
• Helps support intestinal/gastrointestinal health.
• Helps support healthy gastrointestinal function.
• (Clinically shown to help)/helps to relieve digestive symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, gas, and bloating in healthy adults. 
• (Clinically shown to help)/ helps increase levels of healthy gastrointestinal bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria.
• Helps (to) reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea.
• Helps maintain immune health.
• Helps to reduce blood C reactive protein levels, a clinical marker of inflammation.

Dr Frederic Narbel, VP of Sales B2B at Clasado, elaborates on the importance of the Health Canada claims approval: “Consumers are getting ever more connected with health and are getting proactive with their learning. This means whilst products have to work harder to earn trust; scientific backing and regulatory approval connected by a branded ingredient like Bimuno GOS offers an important way to overcome this. Achieving approval for use in Natural Health Products, alongside an impressive 10 health claims that can feature on-pack, is an enormous value added benefit.

“Across the board we are seeing real acceleration in prebiotics as formulators take a gut-mediated approach to health product development. With gut bacteria proving so crucial supporting health in areas such as immunity and gastrointestinal health, we are set to see the category continue gathering pace.”

To learn more about Bimuno GOS, please visit www.clasado.com.

To view the claims for Bimuno GOS on the Health Canada website, visit here: Product information (canada.ca)