Irish seminar to tackle health claims

A seminar to be held in Northern Ireland on 3 September is to discuss health claims on functional foods with reviews provided by two international experts.

The seminar is aimed at highlighting the importance of not preempting the solid scientific evidence when marketing functional foods that ensures consumers of the quality, safety and efficacy of the food.

Claims on foodstuffs, particularly those for 'enhanced function' and 'reduced risk of disease', will be reviewed by Professor Nancy Childs from St Joseph's University, Philadelphia and Professor Gerhard Rechkemmer from the Technical University of Munich, at an afternoon seminar at the Loughry Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Cookstown, Ireland.

According to the organisers, scientists, industry, consumer groups and related professionals from across Ireland will have the opportuntiy to learn of the changing regulations on health claims in the USA and Europe, and discuss best practice in how to scientifically validate and market health claims.

Nancy Childs is set to discuss the USA's latest policy on claims within the context of rising obesity, while Gerhard Reckhkemmer will share his experiences in preparing the way to consensus criteria for the scientific support for claims within the context of the European PASSCLAIM project.

Peter Mitchell, the seminar organiser, said: "This is the fourth in a series of functional food seminars organized by the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE) at the University of Ulster. Accelerating growth in the functional foods industry will require involvement from all the stakeholders."​

Dennis Legge, seminar chairman, advises that those wishing to attend the seminar should register by the 28 August. Further details can be found on the NICHE​ website.