1 - European health claims: regulatory developments

Abstract

Recent developments, concerning the regulation of health claims in Europe have been a slowing of health-claim applications through the available application routes i.e. for reduction of disease risk claims, children’s development and health claims, and for claims based on newly developed scientific evidence and/or requesting the protection of proprietary data. There has been no further progress with setting nutrient profiles or with agreeing the status of health claims for ‘botanicals’, and these two issues are subject to a wide-ranging review. EFSA has published revised guidance to assist with health-claim applications. However, the remit of the expert panels is being revised reflecting the reduced number of health claim applications. The potential impact of Brexit on health claims is considered, as this may result in divergence in health claims regulation between the United Kingdom and the European Union depending on the final relationship that is negotiated between the UK and the EU.