Canada Approves Sunfiber Brand as Dietary Fiber Source

Health Canada has approved Sunfiber, a partially hydrolyzed guar gum ingredient, as a dietary fiber source. The ingredient’s manufacturer, Taiyo International (Minneapolis), says Sunfiber can help lower postprandial glucose levels by more than 20%.

As a soluble, transparent, and tasteless dietary fiber, Sunfiber can be added to foods, beverages, and supplements without changing flavor, color, texture, or aroma, the company says. It is certified kosher, 100% gluten free, and vegetarian and non-GMO.

“While there have been a select number of soluble fibers recently approved by Health Canada, Sunfiber is a galactomannan-based fiber (as opposed to a sugar/starch-based fiber) that allows product formulators to bring the benefits of this truly regulating fiber to consumers who are looking for a unique more comfortable fiber source,” said Lekh Juneja, Taiyo’s vice president, in a press release.

In addition to its benefits for glucose, Sunfiber is said to reduce incidence of gas and bloating, help maintain normal stool content, and provide satiety effects. It also may improve absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc, and provide prebiotic characteristics.