Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to Teestar™, a fenugreek seed extract standardised by its content of galactomannan, and a reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 192

Abstract

Following an application from Avesthagen Limited, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of France, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Teestar™ and a reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses. The Panel considers that the food, Teestar™, a fenugreek seed extract standardised by its content of galactomannan, is sufficiently characterised. A reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses might be a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant submitted one unpublished and eight published human studies as being pertinent to the health claim. No conclusions can be drawn from the eight published studies, as they were not carried out with Teestar™ or any other fenugreek seed extract which complied with the specifications of the food which is the subject of the claim. In one unpublished study, the consumption of Teestar™ did not lead to a reduction in mean peak post-prandial blood glucose concentrations, which was the primary endpoint of the study. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Teestar™, a fenugreek seed extract standardised by its content of galactomannan, and a reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses.