Food manufacturers asked to justify health and nutrition claims

Until now nutrition and health claims were not harmonised at community level. This resulted in the food industry having to check with each EU member state on the type of claims allowed, a process which proved expensive and time- consuming.

It is also important that consumers are not misled by such claims. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods addresses these issues among other things.

The scope of this regulation is to ensure the effective functioning of the internal market while providing a high level of consumer protection. Consumers would be able to rely on clearer and more accurate information, which will allow them to be properly informed on the food they choose.

On the other hand, the food industry will have clear, harmonised rules that will help ensure fair competition and protect innovation by ensuring that manufacturers making genuine health and nutrition claims are not competing with false or inaccurate claims.

It applies to all nutrition and health claims including:

• commercial communications (labelling, presentation and promotional campaigns);

• trade marks and other brand names which may be construed as nutrition or health claims; and

• claims relating to all types of food intended for final consumers, including foods intended for supply to hospitals, canteens, etc.; and foods supplied without packaging or loose.

All claims are subject to an authorisation procedure for use in the community after that these have undergone a scientific assessment of the highest standard. These will form part of a community list of permitted claims.

However those claims that refer to the role of a nutrient or other substance in growth, development and the functions of the body, or to psychological and behavioural functions, or slimming or weight control, and which are based on generally-accepted scientific evidence, should undergo a different type of assessment and authorisation.

Malta and other member states are required to submit a candidate list for such claims to the European Community, so as to be validated by the European Food Safety Authority. To this end, the Food Safety Commission is inviting food businesses to submit eligible claims used on the Maltese territory for inclusion to this list.

Claims should be submitted along with the conditions of use and references to relevant scientific justification by December 1. There is no guarantee that claims submitted after this date will be considered for inclusion on the Maltese candidate list.

For further information on claims contact Ingrid Borg at the Malta Standards Authority, Foodstuffs, Chemicals and Cosmetics Dirctorate, 2nd floor, Evans Building, Merchants Street, Valletta; tel: 2124-2420, fax: 2124-2406; e-mail: ingrid.borg@msa.org.mt.