Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in further food categories — from cola-type drinks to chewing gum and protein products: EFSA estimates the 95th percentile intake at up to 48.5 g/day, and batch composition was determined by HPAEC-PAD according to modified AOAC 2001.02
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1749, published on 21 July 2026, amends the “galacto-oligosaccharide” entry in the Union list of novel foods: at the request of FrieslandCampina Ingredients it authorises GOS in beverages, syrups, confectionery and chocolate products, chewing gum, coffee and cocoa drinks, whey powder and protein products for the general population. It also tidies up the category names so that they are not confused with juices and jams within the meaning of Directives 2001/112/EC and 2001/113/EC.
- New categories and maximum levels (kg GOS/kg or L of product): syrups and powders for beverages 0.250; whey powder 0.250; protein products (excluding dairy analogues) 0.125; other confectionery including chewing gum 0.1; cocoa beverage powders 0.1; liquid drink bases 0.1; milk-based and chocolate confectionery 0.05; chocolate-coated confectionery 0.025; flavoured milk-based drinks 0.025; cocoa drinks, flavoured drinks and concentrated fruit or vegetable juices (excluding products of Directive 2001/112/EC) 0.02; cola-type drinks and coffee-based drinks 0.018.
- Tidying up: “fruit drinks and energy drinks” were split into two categories (both 0.021), “frozen dairy desserts” were merged into “dairy-based desserts” (0.043), “bars” and “cereals” were combined into “processed and breakfast cereals, including cereal bars” (0.125), and the children’s categories were aligned with Regulation (EU) No 609/2013. Food supplements remain at 0.333, and those excluding infants and young children at 0.450 (up to 16.2 g GOS per day); infant formulae at 0.008.
- Data from the EFSA opinion: 5 batches contained 73.2–75.3 % GOS on dry matter (specification at least 46 %), lactose 18.6–20.8 % (max. 40 %), glucose 4.1–6.2 % (max. 22 %), ash 0.1 %, nitrite < 1 mg/kg (max. 2 mg/kg). Sugars were determined by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) using an in-house method based on modified AOAC 2001.02, ash by a method equivalent to NEN-ISO 5809, nitrite according to ISO 14673-2/IDF 189-2. GOS is produced from milk lactose enzymatically, with β-galactosidases from the six microorganisms listed in the specification.
- EFSA estimated that the extension raises the highest 95th percentile intake of GOS from food by at most 17 % (in children aged 3–10 years); in adults it reaches 48.5 g/day, and together with supplements 55–65 g/day, although EFSA considered simultaneous high intake from food and supplements very unlikely. In intervention studies 20 g GOS per day was well tolerated by healthy adults; the only reported effects of higher doses were gastrointestinal symptoms.