EFSA to publish opinions on health claims in ’batches’
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to publish its opinions on health claims in several batches from September 2009 onwards. The European Commission will then propose risk management conclusions to the Member States, taking into account the partial assessment of the health claims used on the EU market.
The clarification process, involving a claims applications procedure in which claims are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, has been significantly delayed due to the overwhelming number of claims submitted for authorisation.
By 31 January 2008, the Commission had received more than 44,000 Article 13 health claims from the Member States, which was then consolidated into 4,000 health claims and tasked to EFSA. The set deadline of 31 January 2010 will not be met.
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims on foods was intended to apply to any food or drink product on sale in the EU. The aim of the Regulation was to prevent consumers from being misled as to the nutritional content of a product by unsubstantiated claims.
For more information
European Food Safety Authority
EPHA related articles
Health claims on food products discussed at EFSA Technical Meeting
Further delays expected in the adoption of rules on health and nutrition claims
*UPDATED* Regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods, November 2007
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