Self-substantiated General Level Health Claim for HI-MAIZE

A SYSTEMATIC literature review was undertaken and updated as part of the self-substantiated General Level Health Claim process. Through the systematic literature review, Ingredion was able to establish the food-health effect according to Schedule 6 Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, health and related claims of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The claim dossier, prepared collaboratively between Ingredion and an external consultant, proposed a claim stating that ‘Resistant Starch 2 (RS2) helps to maintain/support a healthy digestive system when consumed as part of a healthy diet made up of a variety of foods’.

HI-MAIZE resistant starch is a proprietary type of natural fiber made from corn, manufactured and marketed by Ingredion globally. The unique appeal of HI-MAIZE resistant starch is that it is an invisible, ‘white fiber’. This makes it particularly suitable for products like white breads, flat breads and pasta, popular consumer drinks such as fruit smoothies and protein shakes, helping consumers to eat more fiber without compromising taste and helping close the gap in fiber consumption.

When resistant starch reaches the bowel, it is broken down by ‘good’ bacteria to bring about a number of beneficial changes to digestive health.  As well as boosting the activity of such healthy bacteria, HI-MAIZE increases stool bulk and gives a mild laxative effect to promote ‘regularity’. Studies have shown that in comparison with bran, resistant starch was well digested, produced an increase in daily stool weight and assisted passing. It also protects the mucous layer within the colon which is believed to help protect colon cells.

Many public health authorities including the World Health Organisation⁴, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, European Food Safety Authority⁵ and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)⁶ recognize the benefits of resistant starch as a beneficial carbohydrate. A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates digestive and colonic health benefits of High Amylose Maize Starch (HAMS) resistant starch or HI-MAIZE.⁷

“With digestive health a growing health and wellness consumer trend across Asia-Pacific, the self-substantiated GLHC for HI-MAIZE resistant starch opens up additional opportunities to work with even more customers in the health conscious Australia - New Zealand Market,” says Wendy Pasco, Marketing Manager, Ingredion ANZ Pty Ltd.

References

1. Phillips, J et al (1995), Effect of resistant starch on fecal bulk and fermentation-dependent events in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 62(1):121-130

2. Cummings JH, Beatty ER, Kingman SM, Bingham SA, Englyst HN., Br J Nutr. (1996); 75(5): 733-47

3. Toden S et al (2006) Resistant starch prevents colonic DNA damage induced by high dietary cooked red meat or casein in rats; Cancer Biology & Therapy 5:3, 267-272.

4. World Health Organisation (2003) “Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases” WHO Technical Report Series 916.

5. European Food Safety Authority (2011) EFSA Journal 2011;9 (4):2024

6.  National Health and Medical Research Council (2006) Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand including Recommended Dietary Intakes.

7. Nugent AP, 2015, as cited in Landon, S, Colyer, CGB. And Salman, H (2013) “The Resistant Starch Report”, Food Australia