Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564 and contribution to maintaining intestinal microbiota in subjects receiving antibiotic treatment. The scientific substantiation is based on

more »

... information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564. The Panel considers that Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564 is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is "digestive system, immune system". The target population is assumed to be subjects receiving antibiotic treatment. In the context of the proposed wordings and the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of individual intestinal microbiota in subjects receiving antibiotic treatment. The Panel considers that contribution to maintaining individual intestinal microbiota in subjects receiving antibiotic treatment might be a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564 and contribution to maintaining individual intestinal microbiota in subjects receiving antibiotic treatment. KEY WORDS Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564, microbiota, antibiotics, health claims. Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 NCIMB 40564 and contribution to maintaining individual intestinal microbiota in subjects receiving antibiotic treatment