UK Health Claims Submitted to Europe

01/02/08 Action to give shoppers food labelled with health claims they can trust moved forward today with the deadline for EU countries to submit claims to the European Commission.

The EU regulation will provide food manufacturers with a list of clear claims, backed by scientific evidence that can be used on labels. The Food Standards Agency alone has received more than 2500 claims submitted by food manufacturers.

Now the European Food Safety Authority will scrutinise the scientific evidence, to produce an authorised list of health claims. The idea is that if a claim such as 'keeps bones strong' or 'maintains heart health' appears on a label, consumers will know that there is evidence to back it.

The European Commission is expected to have agreed a final list of authorised health claims by early 2010.

In the meantime, health claims will continue to be subject to national rules. If you are worried or confused by a health claim made on labelling or in a store you should contact your local authority. Any claims in advertising you are worried about should be referred to the Advertising Standards Authority.