The European Commission welcomed the publication of the sixth set covering 35 health claims on food products by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Now, the Commission will present by the end of the year a list of permitted health claims on food products for all substances other than the so-called "botanicals" based on the publication made by EFSA.

The publication of the sixth set covering 35 health claims on food products (also known as "Article 13 claims") is the conclusion of EFSA's assessment. The Commission has already started preliminary work with Member States and aims to present the final measure before the end of the year. Once the list of permitted health claims is adopted and fully operational, EU consumers will be assured that all health claims on the EU market are substantiated by science and are not misleading. This will help consumers choose a healthier diet.

The Member States submitted to the Commission more than 44,000 health claims. The Commission consolidated these into a list of approximately 4,600. The six sets of opinions published by EFSA cover about 2,760 health claims of the approximately 4,600 submitted for scientific advice (1550 claims on "botanicals" have been place on hold by the Commission).

According to the Claims Regulation, claims must not mislead consumers: they must be accurate, truthful, substantiated by science and adopted onto a list of permitted health claims. A recent example is the approval by the European Parliament of the health claim about DHA in baby food. Therefore, the Regulation aims to ensure a high level of protection for consumers, by facilitating the choice of products for a varied and balanced diet which is a prerequisite for good health. EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) is the body that assesses the science used to substantiate health claims.