Following an application from Sensus B.V. (Royal Cosun), submitted for authorisation of a health claimpursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of theNetherlands, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliveran opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Frutalose®and maintenance ofnormal defecation. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based onnewly developed scientific evidence. The Panel considers that Frutalose®, a mixture of fructansobtained from enzymatic hydrolysis of chicory inulin, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effectproposed by the applicant is‘contributes to regular bowel function by increasing stool frequency’. Theproposed target population is‘the general healthy adult population’. Maintenance of normal defecationis a beneficial physiological effect provided that it does not result in diarrhoea. One human interventionstudy showed an effect of Frutalose®on the maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stoolfrequency and improving stool consistency (softer stools) when consumed daily at a dose of 15 g for 8weeks. The results have not been replicated in other studies. There is a plausible mechanism by whichFrutalose®could exert the claimed effect. The Panel concludes that the evidence provided isinsufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of Frutalose®andmaintenance of normal defecation under the proposed conditions of use.