Background
Over the past 15 years, the scientific evidence for the beneficial health effects of probiotics has attracted much attention. Only in the past 5-10 years have prebiotics been attracting similar levels of interest but there remains a poor understanding of a broadly credible, accepted definition or exact understanding of their mechanism.
Recently, high profile research has shown that intervention with specific prebiotics does bring about beneficial effects on mineral absorption, colon cancer, immune function, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotic associated diarrhoea, lipid metabolism, appetite regulation and atherosclerotic plaque formation. This suggests that there is potential to establish prebiotic intervention as an important tool to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. In many cases, the underlying mechanism of effect remains to be determined.
The focus of this new task force will be on prebiotics in their own right and not ‘tagged on’ to probiotics.
Objectives
The Prebiotics Task Force aims to provide the basis for assessment of the physiological efficacy of prebiotics by a focus on the following:
- Agree on a working definition of prebiotics;
- Collate the evidence for the physiological effects of prebiotics that may have an impact on microflora and other health effects on the host;
- Identify criteria for substantiation of prebiotic efficacy;
- Improve assessment of consequences of a change of microflora on health outcomes, e.g. by the application of -omics technologies.
For 2008, the focus will be on the first two objectives.
Activities
Working Definition for Prebiotics
The Expert Group will hold the first meeting in April 2008. The starting point will be the existing definition. The task of this expert group will be to review this in light of recent research and to provide a suitable working definition for prebiotics.
The Metabolic and Health Effects of Prebiotics
This Expert Group will hold the first meeting mid 2008. The focus will be on what prebiotics do. The remit of this group will be to gather the data on the physiological effects of prebiotics on the conditions listed above.
Impact
The output from these Expert Groups will promote the understanding of prebiotics amongst scientists and regulators. An ILSI Europe Task Force on Prebiotics has the potential, through a consensus agreement of independent experts, to put in place sound foundations for prebiotic functional foods in Europe for the coming decade, securing consumer and medical support, and lead to a healthy sustainable expansion of the prebiotic concept into reducing the risk of some diseases.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Céline Adam-Perrot, Cerestar (BE)
Dr. Jean-Michel Antoine, Groupe Danone (FR)
Dr. Bouwina Bosscher, Südzucker/BENEO Group (BE)
Dr. Gontran Dondain, Colloïdes Naturels International (FR)
Dr. Sandra Einerhand/Mr. Thierry Naeye, Tate & Lyle Speciality Sweeteners (BE)
Dr. Toine Hulshof, Kellogg (NL)
Dr. Michele Kellerhals, Coca-Cola European Union Group (UK)
Dr. Jan Knol/Dr. Bernd Stahl, Royal Numico (NL)
Dr. Satoshi Kudo, Yakult Europe (NL)
Dr. Clare Leonard, Cereal Partners Worldwide (UK)
Ms. Begüm Mutus, Ülker Bisküvi (TK)
Dr. Arjen Nauta/Ms. Margriet Schoterman, Friesland Foods (NL)
Dr. Arthur Ouwehand, Danisco (FI)
Ms. Frédérique Respondek, Syral (FR)
Dr. Julie Scott, National Starch (UK)
Dr. Cathy Signoret, Cosucra Groupe Warcoing (BE)
Ms. Annemieke Tops, Mead Johnson Nutritionals (NL)
Ms. Catherine Vigreux, Roquette Frères (FR)
Dr. Danielle Wolvers/Dr. Ruud Albers, Unilever (NL)
Expert from public institute
Prof. Marcel Roberfroid (retired) (BE)
For more information, please contact info@ilsieurope.be