The fibers are recognized beneficial for cholesterol and ...

It is an assessment among the 535 new scientific assessments of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to help ensure the validity and accuracy of the claims in labeling and advertising of foodstuffs, and contribute in this way to help consumers make healthy choices in diet. This new series published by EFSA, leads to conclusions for or against different types of claims.

Of the 4637 claims that the European Commission has submitted to the European Agency EFSA, between July 2008 and March 2010, EFSA was to assess claims for 2758 in June 2011. EFSA has completed its evaluation of all health claims should be considered for that date, 536 new allegations in addition to the 2,187 claims already published.

Claim "nutritional" or "health"? A nutrition claim is called when it refers to the amount of a nutrient in a food (eg "rich in calcium"), a health claim is called when it highlights a link between a nutrient or food and health status.

6 criteria for the adverse claim:

- Clarification needed on the purpose of the claim

- When the relationship with health is unclear,

- Wording of the claim too vague

- Food inadequately characterized

- Terms of use / consumption too vague

- Applications in other languages ??than English!

Among the 536 new allegations,

favorable results, the relationship of:
· On specific dietary fiber and blood cholesterol,
· The cereal fiber and bowel function,
· The beverages high in carbohydrates and electrolytes and endurance performance,
• a low sodium levels and blood pressure,
· The fiber and a reduced increase in blood glucose after meals,
• the melatonin and sleep,
• a very low calorie diet in relation to body weight.

Adverse outcomes, such as for claims (too vague) suggesting

· "Women's Health"

· "Mental energy"

· The food categories are too broad ("fruits and vegetables" or "dairy")

A group of 35 remaining claims will be released in July 2011.



Source: EFSA NDA opinions on "General function" health claims Under Article 13 (Visual handles)

Posted in: Diet plans