BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Union has been a regulatory adventure for nutrition and health claims, and for industry stakeholders needing or wanting to sort out the mess, EAS Consulting has planned a workshop, "The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation: Dealing with the present – Planning for the future," for March 8 in Brussels. Registration and fee (950 euros/about $1,210 USD) are required.
The program will feature two parts: 1. Dealing with the present claims climate; and 2. Planning for the future. First, a look at the state of nutrition claims and the Article 13 "Union List" of permitted health claims. Part one will also discuss the European Commission register of health claims, as well as both rejected claims and those on hold, including for botanicals, certain probiotics under re-assessment, DHA/EPA, caffeine and very low calorie diets. Closing the first half of the workshop will be tips on how to apply for EFSA authorization under Article 13.5 or 14, including analysis of lessons learned, existing EFSA guidance, intellectual property concerns, the do's and don'ts of building a dossier/application and how to communicate throughout the process.
Part two will provide practical advice on claims in transition, conformity during transition, how to use approved Article 13.1 or 14 claims, how to utilize nutrition claims/comparative claims and alternative ways to communicate benefits messages to consumers. Also during this second half will be an in-depth look at new product development under the claims regulations, including info on novel foods requirements, potential implications from maximum levels established for vitamins and minerals in the food supplement and food fortification legislation, regulatory differences between medicinal products and foodstuffs, and opportunities and limitations of the mutual recognition legislation.
For more information and to register, visit the EAS website.
