AI Insight
Inulin propionate ester (IPE), a novel dietary fiber additive, has been approved for use in the EU after being added to the Novel Food List. Developed by researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow, IPE works by enhancing the appetite-suppressing effects of dietary fiber, helping people feel satiated for longer periods. The additive is designed to reduce excess calorie consumption that contributes to gradual weight gain over time.
Why it matters
This approval provides a potential new tool for addressing obesity and weight management at the population level through food fortification rather than medical intervention. If incorporated into common foods, it could help individuals manage their calorie intake more naturally without significant dietary changes.
Understand the Science
A pioneering food additive that can stop people from gaining weight has appeared on the EU’s Novel Food List, indicating its safety for human consumers. Inulin propionate ester, or IPE, is a dietary fiber developed and tested by scientists at Imperial College London and at SUERC, Center for the Isotope Sciences at the University of Glasgow. It maximizes the known benefits of a high-fiber diet, helping people feel fuller for longer, with the aim of reducing the daily calorie surpluses that can drive long-term weight gain.
Source: Special food additive that helps prevent weight gain is approved in the EU