EU Approves Novel Fibre to Help Prevent Weight Gain

A novel dietary fibre designed to help prevent gradual weight gain has been authorised for use in foods across the European Union, marking a milestone for researchers aiming to tackle obesity before it develops.

Inulin propionate ester (IPE), developed by scientists at Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow’s SUERC Centre for the Isotope Sciences, has been added to the European Union’s List of Authorised Novel Foods following a positive safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The approval paves the way for the ingredient to be incorporated into products such as bread, cereals, smoothies, and nutritional supplements.

Fibre Targets Appetite Regulation

IPE combines inulin, a naturally occurring dietary fibre found in foods such as chicory root and onions, with propionate, a short-chain fatty acid produced naturally by gut bacteria.

The ingredient has been engineered to deliver propionate directly to the colon, where it stimulates the release of hormones involved in appetite regulation. By enhancing natural satiety signals, researchers hope IPE will help reduce the small daily calorie surpluses that contribute to gradual weight gain over many years.

Unlike anti-obesity medications that are used to promote weight loss, IPE has been developed primarily as a preventative intervention aimed at maintaining a healthy weight.

Clinical Studies Support Weight Management

According to the research team, randomised controlled trials have shown that consuming approximately 10 g of IPE per day can help regulate appetite and reduce long-term weight gain.

Previous studies have also suggested potential additional benefits, including preservation of lean body mass, reductions in liver fat, and possible improvements in metabolic and immune health. However, these findings require further investigation.

Professor Gary Frost, Chair in Nutrition and Dietetics at Imperial College London’s Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, said many people consume less dietary fibre than recommended, despite evidence that higher fibre intake can help regulate body weight.

He noted that even modest annual weight gain during early adulthood can accumulate over time, increasing the risk of obesity later in life.

Fifteen Years from Laboratory to Approval

The approval follows more than 15 years of research and development.

After laboratory development by Professor Douglas Morrison at the University of Glasgow, researchers collaborated on a series of clinical studies before submitting safety data for regulatory review. EFSA issued a positive scientific opinion in late 2025, and the European Commission subsequently granted authorisation for use as a novel food ingredient.

The researchers describe the approval as an example of successful academic translation from laboratory discovery to consumer application, although they note that the regulatory review process alone took six years.

Commercial Production Planned

Although IPE has now been authorised for use, large-scale commercial production has yet to begin.

The research team has established a spinout company, Satisfed, and is seeking industrial partners capable of manufacturing the ingredient at scale. They hope widespread incorporation into commonly consumed foods will provide an accessible and affordable strategy to help prevent obesity, particularly in populations where maintaining a healthy diet remains challenging.

The researchers emphasise that IPE is intended to complement, rather than replace, healthy dietary and lifestyle measures, offering an additional nutritional tool to help address the growing global burden of obesity.

Reference

Imperial College London. 2026. Special food additive that helps prevent weight gain is approved. Available at:  https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/articles/medicine/metabolism-digestion-reproduction/2026/special-food-additive-that-helps-prevent-weight-gain-is-approved/ Last accessed: 29.07.2026