Fast-tracking health claims
statements for vitamins and minerals that are well-established by
science, providing the food industry with a useful reference in the
preparation of health claims, writes Dominique Patton.
The project, thought to be the first ever to collect the evidence on nutrient functions and determine whether a nutrient function statement is 'well-established', proves that the process is simple and viable. And it could be used for a number of other food components, such as wholegrains or even fruits and vegetables, Melanie Ruffell, executive director of the Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI), told NutraIngredients.com.
She added: "These are not health claims. But the statements are a kind of precursor to claims and we have highlighted those that are supported by well-established science. Companies hoping to make claims on these nutrients still need to check the legality of their claims and whether they are meaningful to consumers."
The report, a useful reference tool, could offer some firms a fast-track option on the preparation work for new claims.
The research was commissioned by the UK's Food Standards Agency and will be submitted to the European authorities working on a list of permitted claims for the European health claims regulation, proposed last year and currently under discussion by the European parliament.
The Commission has not however defined a process for identifying well-established health claims or addressed the issue of how to handle existing health claims on the European market. The JHCI report could therefore protect products already carrying health claims from being withdrawn.
"New legislation on the horizon means that companies need to be thinking ahead. If they are going to use a health claim they should try to ensure that it will comply with European regulations, which could be in force in 18 months time. This could prevent them having to relabel under new laws or even withdraw their products," added Ruffell.
The research has also demonstrated a workable process for identifying well-established health statements that are based on generally accepted scientific data, likely to be of value to European regulators in the months ahead. The JHCI team reviewed reports from respected scientific committees such as the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) and UK expert groups, cross-checking to demonstrate consistency of scientific thinking.
"We did not analyse data or look at studies but essentially looked for high-level government documentation to determine consistency," said Ruffell. "No-one had actually done this before despite widespread assumptions about the scientific evidence to support nutrient functions."
JHCI was set up in 1997 as a venture between consumer organisations, enforcement authorities and industry trade associations in the UK to establish a code of practice for health claims on food.
It has already approved six generic claims, including health claims for fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and soy protein, and has a number of product specific claims in the pipeline, driven by companies seeking assistance on proposed claims. The organisation consults a body of seven top scientists and numerous food experts to provide an independent evaluation of product specific claims.
It is also working closely with the FSA and European regulators on the proposed health claim regulation and can therefore give companies some insight into whether a claim will likely fit with future laws.
The report can be accessed on the FSA website or obtained from JHCI.
