EFSA verdict on ‘general function’ health claims
EFSA’s Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) panel has published the outcome of the evaluations of a fourth series of ‘general function’ health claims proposed for use on food products. The 442 claims assessed relate to health relationships in such areas as: protection against oxidative damage to body cells, contribution to either cognitive or bowel function, and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. These opinions will help inform future decisions of the European Commission and EU Member States responsible for the authorisation of the claims. EFSA will finalise the evaluation of the remaining 600 ‘general function’ health claims which need to be assessed by June 2011.
“Experts on the Panel have completed the evaluation of about 80% of ‘general function’ health claims, excluding the so-called ‘botanical’ claims, and are committed to finalising the remaining claims by the agreed deadline,” says Dr Juliane Kleiner, Head of EFSA’s NDA Unit.
Claims evaluated with a favourable outcome include the relation between walnuts and improved function of blood vessels; the antioxidant effects of polyphenols found in olive oil on LDL cholesterol; and the relation between caffeine and alertness and caffeine and increased physical endurance.
Many of the unfavourable opinions in this series, however, were linked to the poor quality of the information provided to EFSA.
“Information gaps included, for instance, the inability to identify the specific substance on which the claim is based; the lack of evidence that the claimed effect is indeed beneficial to the maintenance or improvement of body functions; or the lack of precision regarding the health claim being made,” adds Kleiner. “In addition, some claims were outside the scope of the current legal framework.”
