Disease reduction claims on foods and supplements called
for
Claims that a product can reduce the risk of a particular
disease should be allowed on food and dietary supplement labels, says
Rosemary Hignett, food labelling, standards and consumer protection division,
Food Standards Agency.
Ms Hignett told a joint meeting of the European
Food Law Association of the United Kingdom and the Health Food Manufacturers'
Association earlier this month that the current lack of specific claims
on products does not help anyone. Industry is unclear as to what claims
can be made, consumers have little reason to trust claims, but want clear
information, and enforcement authorities are left with the problem of
not knowing how to police claims.
The European Commission has promised a discussion
paper on health claims for later this year, and the FSA will argue for
clarification of European Union legislation to allow disease risk reduction
claims, she said.
Currently, only claims on licensed medical products
are allowed to mention disease. Health claims made on foods and supplements
are not.
Ms Hignett said that being able to make a disease
risk reduction claim would be helpful for both consumers and industry.
However, all such claims should be scientifically substantiated and made
in the context of a healthy diet and lifestyle, she concluded.
— Contributed.
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