06.30.11
The European Food Safety Authority has issued a fresh series of evaluations regarding Article 13.1 “general function” health claims.
With the publication of this fifth series of scientific opinions, EFSA has added an additional 536 claims to the 2187 claims published to date. A remaining group of 35 claims will be published in July 2011. The European Commission and Member States will then consider EFSA’s scientific advice in deciding on the possible authorization of such claims for food products.
Of the 536 claims evaluated in this latest series, favorable outcomes include the relation between specific dietary fibers and blood cholesterol; cereal fiber and bowel function; carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks and endurance performance; low sodium and blood pressure; dietary fiber and reduced increase in blood glucose after meals; melatonin and sleep onset and very low calorie diet in relation of body weight.
Other claims in this series received unfavorable evaluations because the NDA Panel experts concluded they were not sufficiently specific, such as claims on “women’s health” or “mental energy,” or that they referred to food categories which were considered to be too broad, such as “fruits and vegetables,” or “dairy products,” to be linked to specific effects. Other claims were unfavorably assessed because they were not supported by any relevant studies in humans. Such studies are central to the establishment of a cause and effect relationship between the food or substance concerned and the beneficial health effect claimed, EFSA said.
This series of opinions will be followed by a sixth series of assessments of 35 claims in July 2011.
According to EFSA, out of the 4637 claims submitted between July 2008 and March 2010, the European Commission asked EFSA to evaluate 2758 claims by June 2011, 331 claims were withdrawn and 1548 claims on “botanicals” have been placed on hold by the Commission pending further consideration on how to proceed with these.
With the publication of this fifth series of scientific opinions, EFSA has added an additional 536 claims to the 2187 claims published to date. A remaining group of 35 claims will be published in July 2011. The European Commission and Member States will then consider EFSA’s scientific advice in deciding on the possible authorization of such claims for food products.
Of the 536 claims evaluated in this latest series, favorable outcomes include the relation between specific dietary fibers and blood cholesterol; cereal fiber and bowel function; carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks and endurance performance; low sodium and blood pressure; dietary fiber and reduced increase in blood glucose after meals; melatonin and sleep onset and very low calorie diet in relation of body weight.
Other claims in this series received unfavorable evaluations because the NDA Panel experts concluded they were not sufficiently specific, such as claims on “women’s health” or “mental energy,” or that they referred to food categories which were considered to be too broad, such as “fruits and vegetables,” or “dairy products,” to be linked to specific effects. Other claims were unfavorably assessed because they were not supported by any relevant studies in humans. Such studies are central to the establishment of a cause and effect relationship between the food or substance concerned and the beneficial health effect claimed, EFSA said.
This series of opinions will be followed by a sixth series of assessments of 35 claims in July 2011.
According to EFSA, out of the 4637 claims submitted between July 2008 and March 2010, the European Commission asked EFSA to evaluate 2758 claims by June 2011, 331 claims were withdrawn and 1548 claims on “botanicals” have been placed on hold by the Commission pending further consideration on how to proceed with these.