If you've picked up a bottle or 4-pack of Sorted Prebiotic, you might have seen a little tick that says "FODMAP Friendly". We need to set the record straight: Sorted Prebiotic is not FODMAP friendly, and that claim should never have been on the label. Here's what FODMAP actually means, what went wrong, and which Sorted drinks are a good fit if you're following a low-FODMAP diet.
What does FODMAP mean?
FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols. That's a mouthful, so here's the short version: they're types of carbohydrates that some people don't absorb well in the small intestine. When they reach the large intestine, gut bacteria ferment them, which can cause gas, bloating, cramping and other tummy troubles in people who are sensitive to them.
The low-FODMAP diet was developed by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne and is mostly used to help people manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It's usually done in stages with the help of a dietitian: you cut back on high-FODMAP foods for a few weeks, then slowly bring them back to find out which ones you personally react to.
A "FODMAP friendly" product is one that's low enough in FODMAPs to be suitable during that low-FODMAP phase.
Why Sorted Prebiotic isn't FODMAP friendly
Sorted Prebiotic packs 12g of prebiotic fibre into every bottle. That fibre is the whole point: it feeds the good bacteria in your gut. The fibre we use is chicory root fibre (inulin). Inulin is a fructan, which is one of the "oligosaccharides" (the O in FODMAP). The same thing that makes the drink great for your gut bacteria also means it isn't suitable if you're in the strict phase of a low-FODMAP diet.
For most people that's not a problem at all. But if you're following a low-FODMAP diet for IBS, we want you to know so you can make the right call for your body.
What happened with our packaging
Some of our Sorted Prebiotic bottles and 4-pack cartons were printed with a "FODMAP Friendly" tick. That claim is incorrect. Here's what the affected packaging looks like:
We've removed the claim from our website and corrected our labels. You may still see bottles with the old label in stores for a while. It's the same drink inside.
We're sorry for the confusion. If you bought Sorted Prebiotic because of the FODMAP Friendly claim and it didn't agree with you, please get in touch at hello@drinksorted.com and we'll make it right.
Which Sorted drinks are FODMAP friendly?
Good news: our Sorted Fizzy cans are FODMAP friendly. Instead of inulin, Sorted Fizzy uses prebiotic acacia gum fibre, which is low in FODMAPs. So if you're on a low-FODMAP diet and still want a gut-loving drink, Sorted Fizzy is the one for you.
| Drink | Prebiotic fibre | FODMAP friendly? |
|---|---|---|
| Sorted Fizzy (cans) | Acacia gum fibre, 7.1g per can | Yes |
| Sorted Prebiotic (bottles & 4-packs) | Chicory root fibre (inulin), 12g per bottle | No |
The bottom line
- Sorted Prebiotic is not FODMAP friendly, even if your bottle or carton says it is. It uses chicory root fibre (inulin).
- Sorted Fizzy is FODMAP friendly. It uses acacia gum fibre.
- Sorted Prebiotic still has 12g of prebiotic fibre per bottle, no sugar, and it's vegan.
- If you have IBS or are following a low-FODMAP diet, check with your dietitian or GP about whether prebiotic fibre is right for you.
Thanks for sticking with us. We'd rather tell you straight than have you find out the hard way.
