Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to Equazen eye q®, a combination of EPA, DHA and GLA, and improving reading ability pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Abstract

Following an application from Vifor Ltd, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of the United Kingdom, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Equazen eye q® and improving reading ability. The Panel considers that Equazen eye q®, a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (at a weight ratio of 9:3:1), which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised. Improving reading ability is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant provided four human intervention studies that investigated the effect of Equazen eye q® on reading ability in children. No conclusions can be drawn from three of these studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The fourth study does not show an effect of Equazen eye q® consumed daily over a period of 20 school weeks, on reading ability in children aged 3–13 years. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Equazen eye q®, a combination of EPA, DHA and GLA (at a weight ratio of 9:3:1), and improving reading ability in children.