Cargill Wins EU Health Claim for Barley Beta-Glucan and Cholesterol Reduction

Cargill (Minneapolis) has successfully petitioned the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) for an article 14 health claim relating to its Barliv barley beta-glucan and lowering of cholesterol. After applying for the claim with 16 scientific references back in May 2011, EFSA has now acknowledged a cause-and-effect relationship.

The permitted health claim may reads as follows: “Barley beta-glucans have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol.”

To qualify for the claim, a product must contain Barliv or any other barley beta-glucan at an average molecular weight between 100 and 2000 kilo Daltons (kDA). Cargill says that a serving of 3 g of Barliv will warrant the health claim.

Derived from whole grain barley, Barliv offers low viscosity and is invisible when added to foods and beverages, says Cargill.

Barley already has a strong standing when it comes to health claims. FDA already allows a health claim for barley beta-glucan (specifically Barliv) and cholesterol reduction. The U.S. agency also allows the following claim for products with soluble fiber (such as barley): “Soluble fiber from foods such as [name of food], as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of [name of food] supplies [x] grams of the soluble fiber necessary per day to have this effect."