Danone plays waiting game on health claims

After taking part in a Pharmanager seminar at Vitafoods in Geneva, Dr Jean-Michel Antoine, a 30-year research and development veteran at Danone, tells Shane Starling why the French dairy firm has pulled three article 13.5 probiotic yoghurt claims from the European Union nutrition and health claims process.

He said Danone remained confident its immunity and gut health claims would be approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), but it wanted to wait until further guidance, due this month, was issued by the assessor.

Dr Antoine said he expected the guidance to make it clear exactly what was required to gain a pass mark from the assessor, after which time Danone would submit a refined dossier.