03.01.13
DuPont is nearing completion of several clinical studies to strengthen the scientific evidence supporting its DuPont Danisco range of probiotics with the intention of submitting new immune and gastrointestinal health claim dossiers for review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This is being done in accordance with the “Guidance on the scientific requirements for health claims related to gut and immune function” provided by EFSA in April 2011. Any claims that are not authorized or under consideration by EFSA will be prohibited. The word probiotic is considered a claim in itself due to the definition “... confer a health benefit on the host” and therefore is also not permitted. Interpretation of the regulation is not harmonized throughout the EU. Some countries will likely allow content claims, while others may take the view that content claims will be perceived as indirect health claims.