CODEX-aligned dietary fiber definitions help to bridge the ‘fiber gap’

Abstract

A comprehensive dietary fiber (DF) definition was adopted by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission (CAC) (1) to reflect the current state of knowledge about DF, (2) to recognize that all substances that behave like fiber regardless of how they are produced can be named as DF if they show physiological benefits, and (3) to promote international harmonization for food labeling and food composition tables. This review gives the history and evolution of the state of DF knowledge as looked at by refinements in DF methods and definitions subsequent to the launch of the DF hypothesis. The refinements parallel both interventional and epidemiological research leading to better understanding of the role of DF in contributing to the numerous physiological benefits imparted by all the various digestion resistant carbohydrates. A comparison of the CODEX definition (including its footnote that authorizes the inclusion of polymers with DP 3–9) and approved CODEX Type 1 methods with other existing definitions and methods will point out differences and emphasize the importance of adoption of CODEX-aligned definitions by all jurisdictions. Such harmonization enables comparison of nutrition research, recommendations, food composition tables and nutrition labels the world over. A case will be made that fibers are analogous to vitamins, in that they vary in structure, function and amount needed, but each when present in the right amount contributes to optimal health. Since the intake of DF is significantly below recommended levels throughout the world, the recognition that ‘all fibers fit’ is an important strategy in bridging the ‘fiber gap’ by enfranchising and encouraging greater intake of foods with inherent and added DF. Fortifying foods with added DF makes it easier to increase intakes while maintaining calories at recommended levels.

Antioxidant dietary fibres: Potential functional food ingredients from plant processing by-products

“…Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) described dietary fibre as non-digestible carbohydrates plus lignin, including all carbohydrate components occurring in foods that are not digestible in the human small intestine and pass into the large intestine (Jones 2014). They are believed to play an important role in maintaining the functional integrity of the gastrointestinal tract.…”

A Brief Overview and Comparison of Global Fiber Regulations

“…The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) agreed to a definition of dietary fiber for nutrition labeling that included carbohydrate polymers with 10 or more monomeric units (degree of polymerization [DP] >10) and to a footnote to include carbohydrate polymers that contain DP 3-9 (3,17). Adoption of this footnote by authorities in individual countries was left open, which created concern about the potential for a lack of total harmonization worldwide unless every country adopted this portion of the definition (2,3,6,8,9). Since the adoption of the Codex fiber definition, there have been scientific reviews that favor the inclusion of carbohydrates with DP 3-9 and that justify their inclusion.…”

“…Since the adoption of the Codex fiber definition, there have been scientific reviews that favor the inclusion of carbohydrates with DP 3-9 and that justify their inclusion. This has resulted in the inclusion by most countries and scientific institutions of oligosaccharides with DP ≥3 in their fiber definitions (2,3,6,8). Thus, one benefit of the adoption of a unified definition of fiber has been to guide international harmonization of food labeling and food composition data.…”

Consumers knowledge about dietary fibre — Results of a survey questionnaire in Hungary and Romania

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average adult should eat 25 g of fi bre per day (WHO, 2003). Because of the fi bre intake is far below the recommendations, there is a 'fi bre gap' worldwide (JONES, 2014).…”