01/03/2010

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the second series of opinions on 416 applications for inclusion on the health claims list under article 13.3, produced by the European Commission and Member States.

The evaluations of the NDA panel were positive when there was sufficient scientific evidence available to support the claim, but unfavourable opinions issued by experts were due to the poor quality of the information provided to EFSA, including the lack of information to identify the substance, or the nature of the benefit claimed, or the lack of relevant human studies to support the claim.

This is the second series of opinions on health claims under article 13.3 and the Panel is continuing its work on the remaining applications for inclusion on the list. This phased approach has been adopted due to the large number of claims received for evaluation and the requirement, for EFSA, to publish opinions soon after adoption in order to ensure transparency. In carrying out its work, EFSA groups together similar claims (e.g. by substance and/or the benefit) in order to form coherent opinions.

EFSA expects to complete this work by 2011 depending on the final number of applications received, and it is liaising with the European Commission to set out a more precise timetable for completing the work.

Details of the opinions contained in this second series can be found on the EFSA website, or via the following link:

• EFSA Opinions