Over 15 years of research funded by Zespri has confirmed that green kiwifruit supports bowel function. The European Commission has now formally recognised this, making green kiwifruit the first fresh fruit to receive an authorised health claim from the body.
The European Food Safety Authority initially permitted the claim in 2021, allowing the wording "Regular consumption of green kiwifruit maintains normal defecation." Zespri later requested a revision, which has now been accepted as "consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency."
The recognition follows the submission of a scientific dossier in 2018 containing 18 human intervention studies, six of which were deemed sufficient evidence to prove the effect of green kiwifruit on intestinal function. Zespri fully funded both the research and the application process.
Jason Te Brake, CEO of Zespri, said the approval validates the company's health and innovation programme. "It also delivers tangible value to the industry and reflects the hard work of our green growers to produce nutritious, great-tasting kiwifruit."
The Commission's recommendation is based on a daily intake of two fresh green kiwifruit, equivalent to about 200 g of flesh. According to Te Brake, "The EU Commission's recognition of green kiwifruit's role in digestive health reflects one of the ways we are helping people thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit."
The research is relevant to an estimated 17% of Europeans who experience constipation.
Zespri is based in Mount Maunganui and is owned by New Zealand growers. It employs more than 900 staff across New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company sources kiwifruit from 2800 New Zealand growers and 1500 offshore growers. Combined production supplied 220.9 million trays, or more than 795,000 tons, of green, gold, and red kiwifruit to over 50 markets, generating US$5.14 billion.
Source: The Post