Xylo-oligosaccharides: authorised novel food in the EU

Conditions of use and maximum levels

Table 1, column "Conditions under which the novel food may be used", as written:

• White bread: 14 g/kg
• Wholemeal bread: 14 g/kg
• Breakfast cereals: 14 g/kg
• Biscuits: 14 g/kg
• Soy drink: 3,5 g/kg
• Yoghurt (9): 3,5 g/kg
• Fruit spreads: 30 g/kg
• Chocolate confectionery: 30 g/kg
• Food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC for the general adult population: 2 g/day

Additional specific labelling requirements

The designation of the novel food on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it shall be ‘Xylo-oligosaccharides’

Specification (Table 2)

Table 2 of the Annex, row with the same name, as written:

Description:

The novel food is a mixture of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) which are obtained from corncobs (Zea mays subsp. mays) via hydrolysis by a xylanase from Trichoderma reesei followed by a purification process.

Characteristics/Composition:

Parameter

Powder form 1

Powder form 2

Syrup form

Moisture (%)

≤ 5,0

≤ 5,0

-

Dry material (%)

-

-

70 -75

Protein (g/100 g)

< 0,2

Ash (%)

≤ 0,3

pH

3,5 -5,0

Total carbohydrate content (g/100 g)

≥ 97

≥ 95

≥ 70

XOS content (dry basis) (g/100 g)

≥ 95

≥ 70

≥ 70

Other carbohydrates (g/100 g)a

2,5 -7,5

2 -16

1,5 -31,5

Monosaccharides total (g/100 g)

0 -4,5

0 -13

0 -29

Glucose (g/100 g)

0 -2

0 -5

0 -4

Arabinose (g/100 g)

0 -1,5

0 -3

0 -10

Xylose (g/100 g)

0 -1,0

0 -5

0 -15

Disaccharides total (g/100 g)

27,5 -48

25 -43

26,5 -42,5

Xylobiose (XOS DP2) (g/100 g)

25 -45

23 -40

25 -40

Cellobiose (g/100 g)

2,5 -3

2 -3

1,5 -2,5

Oligosaccharides total (g/100 g)

41 -77

36 -72

32 -71

xylotriose (XOS DP3) (g/100 g)

27 -35

18 -30

18 -30

xylotetraose (XOS DP4) (g/100 g)

10 -20

10 -20

8 -20

xylopentaose (XOS DP5) (g/100 g)

3 -10

5 -10

3 -10

xylohexaose (XOS DP6) (g/100 g)

1 -5

1 -5

1 -5

Xyloheptaose (XOS DP7) (g/100 g)

0 -7

2 -7

2 -6

Maltodextrin (g/100 g)b

0

20 -25

0

Copper (mg/kg)

< 5,0

Lead (mg/kg)

< 0,5

Arsenic (mg/kg)

< 0,3

Salmonella (CFUc/25 g)

Negative

E. coli (MPNd/100 g)

Negative

Yeast (CFU/g)

< 10

Mould (CFU/g)

< 10

a Other carbohydrates include monosaccharides (glucose, xylose and arabinose) and cellobiose.

b Maltodextrin content is calculated according to the amount added in the process.

DP: Degree of polymerization

c CFU: Colony Forming Units

d MPN: Most Probable Number

Notes

(9) When used in milk products xylo-oligosaccharides shall not replace, in whole or in part, any milk constituent.

Source and version

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, Annex, Union list of novel foods, Table 1. Consolidated text of 10 August 2026. The text above is copied from that document without change except that amendment markers are removed. It is not advice and it does not decide whether a particular product is covered.

• Consolidated text on EUR-Lex

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