ESSNA initiates sports and active nutrition review process ahead of EU labeling rules

03 Aug 2022 --- The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) has called for the sports and active nutrition industry’s expert views on the EU’s forthcoming mandatory front-of-pack nutritional labeling (FOPNL) scheme.

In 2021, ESSNA warned about the dangers of a “one size fits all” approach for front-of-pack labeling obligations, which was spurred by the European Parliament’s vote on the report to eventually introduce mandatory nutrient profiles.

Evidence will be collected in the coming weeks on the current use of the FOPNL schemes across the sector via a questionnaire survey. 

It will also assess any challenges the industry faces ahead of the European Commission’s legislative proposal on introducing a mandatory FOPNL and the setting of nutrient profiles, expected in the fourth quarter of 2022. 

“Any forthcoming FOPNL obligations need to be based on sound evidence and take into account the specificities of specialist food sectors. This is why ESSNA is launching an industry-wide survey to collect first-hand information on the predicted impact of new obligations on our sector,” says Dr. Adam Carey, chair ESSNA.

Formulating with nutrients
According to Innova Market Insights, US sports nutrition value sales have increased by 6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), while new product launches are up 10% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. Sports powders climbed from 55% of sports nutrition launches in 2017 to 74% in 2021.

ESSNA, a trade association for the sports and active nutrition industry, addresses the needs of manufacturers and distributors of sports nutrition products, suppliers of ingredients, national associations and scientific and legal consultants advising the sector.Sports foods are developed with higher levels of nutrients, usually protein or carbohydrates. 

Sports foods are purposefully formulated with higher levels of nutrients, usually protein or carbohydrates, to cater to the specific dietary needs of those undertaking physical activity and performing exercise. 

The nutrient profiling framework underpinning the FOPNL has to consider the particular dietary needs of sports people, which differ from those of the general population. 

ESSNA’s role is to ensure that sports nutrition products are safe, effective, readily available and transparent.

“We call on industry peers to participate in the survey to ensure the views of the sector are considered in any future rules set at the EU level,” says Carey.

 The worst-case scenario would be a blanked application of FoPL to all food products without appropriate exemptions for sports nutrition products, he adds. In that case, owing to its high concentration of certain nutrients, sports food may be labeled as unhealthy, despite its proven benefits for sportspeople, which are well documented in scientific literature. 

In contrast, the best-case scenario would be for any new scheme to allow for exemptions for sports nutrition products. It would also follow the Parliament’s call for special attention to be paid to the additional burden for food operators and unions, as well as on consumer understanding in the setting of FoPL. 

The closing date for input in the questionnaire is September 16, 2022. 

Sports nutrition industry advancesSports nutrition caters to the specific dietary needs of sporting people.
Meanwhile, ESSNA released a nutrition guide for vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition consumers. The move seeks to help active consumers understand how well the sports nutrition industry caters to plant-based diets. 

ESSNA also welcomed the European Commission’s latest legislative proposal to create a safer, more open digital space for e-commerce. However, it believes it can further protect online sports nutrition consumers’ rights. 

The proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) encompasses new rules to establish a clear accountability framework for online platforms while “fostering innovation, growth and competitiveness” within the single market.

In other news, ESSNA called on the UK government to ensure that restrictions on foods meant to tackle childhood obesity do not negatively impact the sports nutrition segment. The association argued that the UK government “poorly defines” what model will be used to categorize HFSS foods (those high in fat, sugar and salt) that put children at risk.

If the government uses the Nutrient Profile Model (NPM), ESSNA warned, it would result in food products intended for sportspeople being unintentionally affected by promotion restrictions. 

Edited by Inga de Jong