The European Food Safety Authority has rejected 80% of the claims reviewed under new health claims legislation, prompting industry to suggest that EFSA’s requirements are “too strenuous”.
The EFSA has been examining health benefit claims on existing products sold in Europe and, under new European regulations, food manufacturers will require the agency’s approval to make health benefit claims in connection with their products.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The food safety watchdog published its opinions on 442 proposed claims at the end of last week (8 April) in its fourth batch of opinions to be released to date. These claims related to protecting against oxidative damage to body cells, contributing to cognitive or bowel function, or maintaining normal cholesterol levels, the EFSA said.
Commenting on the high level of rejections, the agency blamed the poor quality of the information provided to EFSA'” to support the claims.
“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. In addition, some claims were outside the scope of the current legal framework,” the agency said.
However, Dr Alexander Schoch, manager for regulatory affairs at the Beneo Institute, part of the Suedzucker Group, suggested that the EFSA’s requirement for “significant scientific agreement” on a health claim would act as a barrier for the vast majority of claims passing the EFSA’s scrutiny. Instead, he suggested, the science behind health claims should be “credible” – not necessarily “generally accepted”.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataWhile only 20% of opinions published to date have been positive, Schoch emphasised that many of these relate to claims associated with vitamins and minerals. With these claims stripped out, the rejection rate rises to 95%, he observed.
Claims involving walnuts, the antioxidant effects of polyphenols found in olive oil on LDL cholesterol, and the relationship between caffeine and alertness and caffeine and increased physical endurance were accepted.
The EFSA is currently working on 600 more “general function” health claims that it has indicated will 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 finalizing the remaining claims by the agreed deadline,” said Dr. Juliane Kleiner of EFSA.
