Time for an EU health claims rethink

In a NutraIngredients.com round table discussion, DSM’s Bas van Buijtenen expresses widespread industry concern with the EU nutrition and health claims process, while Cantox’s Nigel Baldwin tells us what we should expect from next month’s meeting with EFSA.

Van Buijtenen, VP of Human Nutrition and Health at DSM Nutritional Products Europe, said a major concern is that the regulation is stifling innovation.

Another challenge is the lack of transparency in submission guidelines, he said, adding that EFSA should stop publishing opinions until clarification is achieved.

Baldwin, senior scientific and regulatory consultant at Cantox Health Sciences International, delved into the detail of health claim submissions and highlighted areas where companies could be going wrong – and right.