Are Fructooligosaccharides In Probiotics Safe For Infants (2025)

Several approaches have been developed for designing new infant formulas by adding bioactive ingredients such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), probiotics, prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs). These ingredients have been shown to improve the body’s disease state and promote health. Supplementation of infant and follow-up formula with probiotics or synbiotics has become a common practice. In 2011 and 2017, evidence regarding the impact of these ingredients was found.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) may be voluntarily added to infant formulae if their content does not exceed 0.8g/100mL of a combination of 90. The addition of small amounts of FOS to bottle-fed preterm or term infants was well tolerated and resulted in similar number of Bifidobacterium spp. as breastfed infants and an increase in the total number of bifidobacteria in feces and may also soften stools. However, there is no published evidence that administration of pre-biotic oligosaccharides has the potential to increase the total number of bifidobacteria in feces and may also soften stools.

There is some evidence that probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants (birth weight between 1000 and 1500 g), but more studies are needed. Different types of prebiotic OS are used in infant formula, including galacto-oligosaccharide, fructo-oligosaccharide, polydextrose, and mixtures of these OS, but none adds human milk.

The study examined the effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance of a novel infant formula that combined specific fermented formula (FERM) with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and found that FOS are possibly safe when added to infant formula or cow’s milk and given to healthy infants. Currently, the acceptable daily intake of FOS for infants less than one year old is 4.2 grams per day.

Probiotic supplements are not necessary for all infants and young children, but evidence supports that certain health conditions may be beneficial.

What is FOS in infant formula?

GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) and FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) are prebiotics. Prebiotics are the essential food source for intestinal flora (better known as gut microbiota – a complex system of bacteria which keep the gut, and the rest of the body, functioning). You will generally find prebiotics in foods high in dietary fibre (including bananas, asparagus, tomatoes and leeks). Studies have shown that more gut microbiota in the intestinal tract means better immunity, stronger metabolism, less inflammation and, with recent research, better brain function. You will find GOS and FOS in Kendamil Classic Stages 1 and 2, while you will find GOS in Kendamil Classic Stage 3, Kendamil Organic Stages 1-3 and Kendamil Goat Stages 1-3.

Because your little one can’t eat solid foods, it’s important that their milk contains the right amount of prebiotics to help their intestinal flora thrive and grow. If you choose to breastfeed your little one, you’re feeding your baby natural, targeted prebiotics, known as Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). These HMOs shape an infant’s gut microbiota and help to modulate the ‘neonatal immunity in the infant gut’.

For formula-fed little ones, their source of prebiotics are GOS and FOS – non-digestible carbohydrates which are added to baby formula. In fact, a comparative study on the metabolic activity of GOS/FOS fed babies and breastfed babies showed positive results, with the gut metabolic activity in formula-fed babies with GOS/FOS prebiotics shown to be similar to the gut metabolic activity of breastfed infants. Babies who were fed standard formula milk, without the addition of GOS/FOS prebiotics, had lower levels of this metabolic activity.

Do probiotics have side effects for babies?

Of all premature babies studied so far, no serious side effects have been seen with probiotics. Are there any risks of getting probiotics? There is a very small risk that a baby may actually get an infection from the probiotic bacteria.

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What are the disadvantages of fructooligosaccharides?

Fructo-oligosaccharides seem to be safe when taken in less than 30 grams per day. They can cause intestinal gas ( flatulence ), intestinal noises, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These effects are usually mild if the dose is less than 10 grams per day.

Special Precautions & Warnings:. Pregnancy and breast-feeding : Not enough is known about the use of fructo-oligosaccharides during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The appropriate dose of fructo-oligosaccharides depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for fructo-oligosaccharides. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

What is FOS in probiotics?

Overview. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are plant sugars that occur in many fruits and vegetables. They can also be made in a lab and are used as prebiotics. FOS do not get digested until they reach the colon. In the colon, they are digested by good bacteria.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are plant sugars that occur in many fruits and vegetables. They can also be made in a lab and are used as prebiotics.

FOS do not get digested until they reach the colon. In the colon, they are digested by good bacteria. This helps the good bacteria to grow, which is why they are used as prebiotics. Prebiotics act as food for probiotics (good bacteria).

People use FOS for constipation, obesity, diabetes, travelers’ diarrhea, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Can babies have probiotics yes or no?

Probiotics are generally considered safe for children because they use microbes already found in the body. But not many studies have been done on the overall safety of probiotics.

Certain groups should be extra careful about probiotics:

• Premature babies
• Very sick infants
• Children with weakened immune systems
• Children who have been hospitalized

In general, pediatricians recommend that children get probiotics from foods instead of through over-the-counter supplements. Foods that have probiotics include:

• Kefir, a fermented milk drink
• Yogurt, which is thicker than kefir
• Kombucha, a low-calorie fermented drink made with black tea
• Sauerkraut, a German side dish featuring fermented cabbage
• Kimchi, a Korean side dish that can be spicy
• Tempeh, a hearty fermented soy product that can be used in a stir-fry
• Sourdough bread
• Pickles

Which is better, GOS or FOS?

FOS is perhaps one of the most-known prebiotic fibre types and has been commercially available for the longest period of time. As a result, with a large number of companies involved, there is a substantial amount of scientific study across the variations and grades and its effect on the gut microbiome. FOS is often considered for products that target gastrointestinal health and immune function.

With FOS, a measurable prebiotic effect typically begins at 3-4g, significantly higher than Bimuno GOS in comparison. For formulators, this means much higher quantities of the ingredient are required to achieve a comparable prebiotic effect. In addition, excessive intake has been associated with intestinal discomfort.

What is XOS?. Xylooligosaccharides, abbreviated as XOS, are a fibre polymer that like FOS, is made up of plant fibres. In the health and nutrition market, XOS is less prevalent than GOS or FOS, although it has been commercially available for a considerable time. The research portfolio behind it is considered less strong than that of FOS or GOS.

The dosage required for XOS is generally between 1g and 3g, and the most common applications for xylooligosaccharides are gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health.

Who should avoid fructooligosaccharides?

People with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may want to avoid using FOS, as their digestive system may not respond well to the effects. There is little current research, however, on this topic.

Since FOS feed bacteria, there is also the chance that they can feed unfriendly bacteria in the gut. Certain organisms, including E. Coli and K. Pneumonia, may eat FOS and spread in the intestines. This may be more likely if they are weakened.

As a dietary ingredient, FOS fits into a few different categories. It is a carbohydrate but is usually listed under fibers. It is also used as a sweetener.

Is it safe to give probiotics to infants?

Should I give my baby probiotics?. Good bacteria from probiotics can be naturally found in breast milk and baby formula. It is preferred to hold off on probiotic supplements until your baby is older than six months old.

Pediatric gastroenterologist and division chief at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, Beth Loveridge-Lenza, D. O. says, “Although probiotics can have many health benefits, the need for them varies depending on your baby’s current health and health history. If there are nutrients that we think your baby needs to be supplemented for, we can work out a plan that works best to suit your baby’s needs.”

Probiotics are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor prescribed by a doctor. In general, probiotics have very few negative side effects for healthy adults and children. If your baby was born prematurely, has a weakened immune system or other health problems, they are more at risk for adverse reactions to probiotics, such as developing an infection.

Is fructooligosaccharides safe for babies?

FOS is a good fibre that can help your baby’s tummy to be in good shape. It is naturally found in foods such as tomatoes, honey, bananas, and apples. Just like any fibre, FOS is a soluble fibre, meaning it turns into a jelly-like mass in your baby’s gut. Most of its health benefits are because of this feature of FOS. 1.

Now usually, your baby’s tummy has a mix of both good and bad bacteria. Higher numbers of bad bacteria can lead to sickness in babies whereas higher number of good bacteria is seen in well growing, healthy babies. 2.

A good fibre like FOS helps in increasing the numbers of good bacteria in your baby’s tummy thus preventing sickness. Higher numbers of good bacteria in your baby’s tummy is also a sign of good immunity. Your baby will fall sick less often and hence grow well.

Is fructooligosaccharides safe during pregnancy?

These findings suggested that FOS intake during pregnancy improved metabolic conditions, and induced higher resistance to HFD-induced obesity in the offspring. Dietary FOS supplementation of pregnant mothers results in improvement of plasma metabolic parameters in offspring.

What is GOS FOS in baby milk?

Galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS & FOS). Simple mixtures of long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) can be produced commercially from lactose and sucrose and are added to in infant formula in an attempt to reproduce the bifidogenic activity of breastmilk (Moro and Arslanoglu, 2005). Whilst FOS and GOS cannot mimic the complex oligosaccharide content of breastmilk, they have a similar molecular weight and high galactose content to oligosaccharides found in breastmilk.

The EFSA Scientific opinion on the essential composition of infant and follow-on formulae (EFSA, 2014) notes that most of the studies which investigated the effect of non-digestible oligosaccharide addition to formula had considerable limitations, including a high drop-out rate, lack of consideration of missing values, unclear sequence generation, unclear achievement of allocation, concealment and/or blinding. EFSA has concluded, as have previous EFSA panels considering health claims, that there is no evidence for health benefits from the addition of prebiotic oligosaccharides to infant or follow-on formula. Despite this, many claims are still made on both family and health professional websites and in health professional literature about the benefits of adding prebiotics to infant milks.

Current regulations permit the addition of GOS and FOS to infant formula and follow-on formula stating maximum amounts, however they are non-essential ingredients.