Low-digestible carbohydrates: the regulatory framework.

Legislation is described that impacts on the use of low-digestible carbohydrates in foods. This includes controls on the use of these carbohydrates, mandatory labeling concerned with gastrointestinal effects, nutrition labeling, and nutrition and other claims. Regional differences in approach to legislation have led to inconsistencies in the information that must be provided to consumers, even for the same food products. Also, within regions, different regulations apply to food carbohydrates that may be classified similarly from the physiological perspective. Consistency of food labelling globally and in application to similar carbohydrates would benefit from greater attention to the underpinning science.