Evaluation of safety of inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber

In the United States, most individuals consume far less dietary fiber than the daily value (DV) set at 25 g. The average daily consumption for inulin and oligo-fructose is estimated to be between 1 and 4 g in this country, wi th a higher intake of 3 to 11 g seen in Europe. Inulin and oligofructose ar e soluble, fermentable dietary fibers, of low net caloric value having many of the possible health benefits attributed to fiber. Such fiber consists o f poly- and oligomers of fructose joined by beta(2 --> 1) fructosyl-fructos e bonds. This class of fiber has been studied in a series of standard toxic ological test systems. The studies have demonstrated that inulin-type fruct ans, when administered in the diet at high levels, do not result in mortali ty, morbidity, target organ toxicity, reproductive or developmental toxicit y, or carcinogenicity. Several in vitro studies have also shown the absence of mutagenic or genotoxic potential. The only basis for limiting use of su ch fiber in the human diet relates to gastrointestinal tolerance. A series of clinical studies has been reported which shows that up to 20 g/day of in ulin and/or oligofructose is well tolerated. As foods marketed in the Unite d States bear labels stating both the quantity per serving size and the cor responding percentage of the daily value (% DV) of-fiber, consumers can mak e appropriate choices and decisions about daily consumption without exceedi ng individual tolerance. (C) 1999 Academic Press.