Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum) and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal micro

, has not been sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is "establishment of a natural, beneficial bifidobacterial dominance in the large intestine, which can lead to a suppression of harmful bacteria and thereby to a better health status". The target population is infants and children aged between 0 to 36 months. The Panel considers that decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms might be beneficial to human health. The applicant identified a total of 34 publications considered as being pertinent to the health claim. In weighing the evidence, the Panel notes that the strains that are the subject of the health claim have not been sufficiently characterised and that from the evidence provided it cannot be established that the strains used in the studies are the same strains that are the subject of the claim.