Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of Bifidobacterium longum LA 101, Lactobacillus helveticus LA 102, Lactococcus lactis LA 103 and Streptococcus thermophilus LA 104 and improves stool frequency pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from PiLeJe submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of France, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of Bifidobacterium longum LA 101, Lactobacillus helveticus LA 102, Lactococcus lactis LA 103 and Streptococcus thermophilus LA 104 and improves stools frequency. The food that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of B. longum LA 101, L. helveticus LA 102, L. lactis LA 103 and S. thermophilus LA 104. The information provided was insufficient to establish that the strain L. lactis LA 103 was sufficiently characterised. The Panel considers that if in a combination of several microorganisms and/or ingredients one microorganism or ingredient used in the combination is not sufficiently characterised, then the combination is considered to be not sufficiently characterised. A combination of B. longum LA 101, L. helveticus LA 102, L. lactis LA 103, and S. thermophilus LA 104 is not sufficiently characterised. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of a combination of B. longum LA 101, L. helveticus LA 102, L. lactis LA 103 and S. thermophilus LA 104 and improves stool frequency.