The European Commission discussed with the Member States the draft list of permitted health claims to be authorised for use on food. With this discussion, the process for the adoption of this list is entering its final stage after long discussions with the Member States and interested stakeholders. The list tabled for discussion includes about 240 health claims covering some 500 entries from the consolidated list of claims submitted by Member States.

In an informal meeting of the Working Group, the European Commission has discussed with the Member States the draft list of permitted health claims to be authorised for use on food. The list now discussed with the Member States contains Article 13 health claims for all substances other than so-called "botanicals". In particular, it includes about 240 health claims covering some 500 entries from the consolidated list of claims submitted by Member States. The scientific substantiation of these has been favourably assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

According to the Commission, once approved the list, the health claims will 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. The Commission also wants to assure that claims must not mislead consumers. They therefore must be accurate, truthful and substantiated by science.

The Member States submitted to the Commission more than 44,000 health claims at the beginning of the process. The Commission consolidated these into a list of approximately 4,600. These were assessed by EFSA who published six sets of opinions covering about 2,760 health claims of the approximately 4,600 submitted for scientific advice (1550 claims on "botanicals" are awaiting assessment by EFSA and together with another 500 already assessed are subject to a reflection by the Commission pending finalisation of their consideration for authorisation). In July, for instance, 35 health claims on food products which are object to be listed by the Commission. The Claims 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.