The report, titled “Targeted Botanical and Herbal Food and Drinks in Europe,” analyzes the impact of new health claims legislation on the botanical and herbal food and drinks industry. By examining the current product launch landscape and existing health claims and clinical data, manufacturers can assess the potential of specific botanicals.
Among the various claims made on new product launches made through to August 2010, 49% were targeted at the metabolic/endocrinology therapeutic area, with weight management being the main area of focus. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, of which 300 million are obese.
Other than probiotics, botanicals and herbs have been least successful area in securing positive approvals from EFSA. Of the 67 opinions published pertaining to botanicals and herbs in the first two batches, 66 have been rejected.
Botanicals have temporarily been removed from EFSA's assessment process creating uncertainty over the future regulatory environment. With the EC contemplating the adoption of an alternative assessment procedure, it could still be possible for previously rejected health claims to successfully reach the market via an updated evaluation process.
This report identifies the leading botanicals currently used in food and drinks products; examines examples of product innovation in the botanical foods industry; analyzes the therapeutic areas being targeted by food and drinks manufacturers through product launches and health claims submissions; assesses the potential of specific herbs and botanicals as indicated by research, manufacturing and health claim activities; and examines the impact of a more stringent regulatory environment and how it impacts which botanical and herbal ingredients to use.