Recently, the Food Standards Agency of Australia and New Zealand issued Announcement No. 209-22, intending to revise the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code, specifically to allow food for infants and young children (including infant formula milk powder, special formula food for infants and young children, but excluding above 12 months infant food) to add 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and inulin-type fructan (ITF), at the same time, the maximum amount of 2-fucosyllactose added is 2.4g/L, the maximum amount of galacto-oligosaccharides and inulin-type fructans added is 8g/L (calculated as a mixture). The feedback period for this announcement ends on August 19,2022.
2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is one of the largest breast milk oligosaccharide (HMO) product. HMOs are a unique class of carbohydrates that naturally occur in breast milk and are the second most important nutritional component in breast milk after fat and lactose. 2'-Fucosyllactose is produced by microbial fermentation of transgenic E. coli strains. The range of food used includes first-stage infant formula milk powder (0-1 year old), second-stage infant formula milk powder (6 months-1 year old), infant formula milk powder for special dietary purposes, and ingredients of infant formula supplementary food.
Research shows that 2'-fucosyllactose supports a healthy gut microbial composition and immune system development, may protect against allergic diseases, and plays an important role in normal brain function and cognitive development in humans. Based on its ability to address mucosal inflammation, 2'-FL is also a promising ingredient in the field of digestive health.
Galacto-oligosaccharides are functional oligosaccharides with natural properties, and their molecular structure is generally to connect 1 to 7 galactosyl on galactose or glucose molecules, that is, Gal-(Gal)n-Glc/Gal( n is 0-6). In nature, there is a trace of galacto-oligosaccharides in animal milk, but more in human breast milk. The establishment of bifidobacteria in the body largely depends on the galacto-oligosaccharides in breast milk.
Galacto-oligosaccharides can simultaneously proliferate bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the intestine, and can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Unlike fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides are relatively stable to heat and acid and not easy to decompose, which is beneficial to food processing and prolongs the shelf life of products. The calories are only 50% of normal sugar (2 kcal/g), and it has the same effect as dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and improve intestinal function.
Inulin-type fructan is a natural fructan mixture, which is internationally recognized as the safest and most effective prebiotics. Inulin had the most obvious effect on the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. Along with starch, it is another form of energy storage in plants. Inulin promotes the growth of good bacteria and is the best prebiotic for constipation.
