From  2 to 6 October 2024, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) had its forty-fourth session in Dresden, Germany. During  session various key topics for the food and food supplement indudtry have been addressed, including the establishment of Nutrient Reference Values-Requirements (NRVs-R) for persons aged 6 ? 36 months, technological justification for food additives, and a discusion on harmonized guidelines on probiotics.

The discussion surrounding the proposal for Harmonized Guidelines on the Use of Probiotics in Foods and Dietary Supplements appears to be a significant development for regulatory landscape. This proposal, spearheaded by Argentina, China and Malasia seeks to create a harmonized framework for evaluating microorganisms used as probiotics. Notably, the scope of the proposal is explicitly limited to probiotics in foods and dietary supplements, excluding those used in pharmaceuticals and feed. 

The proposal aims to align with the 2001 FAO/WHO guidelines by providing a harmonised definition of probiotics and establishing minimum safety and characterisation requirements. Importantly, it avoids creating a definitive list of ?approved? or ?disapproved? probiotic strains, focusing instead on providing a flexible framework for regulators to assess probiotics when regulated as foods.

The recent debate in the CCNFSDU44 plenary showcased diverse perspectives, with notable support from multiple countries. Malaysia, China, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, Iran, Paraguay, and Uganda have all voiced strong backing for the initiative. Their emphasis lies on the proposal's pivotal role in boosting trade, ensuring consumer safety, and facilitating the establishment of national regulation for the use of probiotics in foods and food supplements. 

However, concerns and opposition have arisen from countries such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Hungary. These countries have raised several issues, including disagreements over the proposed definition for probiotics, concerns about overlaps with health claim evaluations, and doubts regarding the proposal?s priority.

A variety of organizations have also expressed their views on the proposal. This reflects the broad range of stakeholders, from industry groups to consumer advocates, who are invested in the future regulation of probiotics in foods and dietary supplements worldwide.

In response to concerns raised, a revised proposal is underway. This revision aims to refine the scope and definition of probiotics. It will also involve an evaluation by FAO/WHO on the need to update the 2001 guidelines to ensure they align with modern probiotic research and industry practices. 

The CCNFSDU44 session outcomes undoubtedly have a significant influence on the future development of regulation at national level. Contact us for a more relevant and updated approach in the probiotics field in Latin American Countries.

Published: 7 October, 2024

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