Speaking to NutraIngredients-USA after Health Canada approved the use of Barliv as a novel dietary fiber, a Cargill spokesperson said that in order to make the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved heart health claim, foods must contain at least 0.75g beta-glucan soluble fiber per serving.
Achieving health claim ‘difficult or impossible’ in some applications
However, firms testing many oat and barley based beta glucans had struggled to incorporate the amount needed to make a claim without encountering technical problems in certain applications, claimed Cargill.
“Most oat and barley based beta glucans have application issues associated with viscosity in beverages, dairy and juices.
“Additional issues around density and texture in bakery, cereals and bar products, make achieving an FDA heart health claim or EFSA Article 14 level health claim difficult if not impossible in some applications.”
It added: “Most oat and barley based products contain about 25% beta glucan concentration, which is concentrated via milling and mechanical separation [whereas] Barliv barley beta fiber contains 70% beta glucan concentration developed though our unique process technology, which is patent pending.
“Barliv can be used in beverages at 0.75g/serving or more without the viscosity and texture issues of other oat and barley based beta glucans so can be used in bakery, cereals and bars without the density issues associated with oat based or other barley products.”
Health Canada approval
The recent approval from Health Canada means Barliv can be used in foods and declared as a dietary fiber in Canada, said Cargill.
“Health Canada has reviewed clinical data we submitted for Barliv which shows it has efficacy in lowering blood cholesterol. Health Canada has accepted this data by approving Barliv as a novel dietary fiber.
“Food manufacturers wishing to make a function claim in Canada [maintenance of healthy blood cholesterol] can consult with Health Canada regarding the claim they propose to make.”