European Health Claims Face Regulation

Product designers who target the global marketplace need to be aware that the European Union’s first piece of legislation addressing nutrition and health claims goes into effect July 1, 2007. Prior to publication of “Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods,” various and varied provisions in member states led to confusion for food manufacturers, made enforcement difficult and, in some instances, created barriers to trade. This regulation is binding and applicable in all EU member states.

Similar to U.S. regulations, the intent of the new regulation is to protect consumers from misleading, exaggerated and untruthful claims on food, and to provide food manufacturers with clear rules that ensure fair competition and help protect and promote innovation in the food industry. It applies to any food or drink product produced for human consumption to be sold on the EU market, including food intended for supply to restaurants, hospitals, schools and similar public venues, and it applies to nutrition and health claims made in all commercial communications, such as labeling and advertising. The new rules do not cover cosmetics, medicine or pet-food products. Permitted nutrition claims are listed in the Annex to the regulation, and a Community Register of permitted claims will be established and available to the public. Member states will submit a list of claims already approved at the national level and, within three years of the regulation entering into force, the European Commission will produce an EU-positive list of health claims. Health claims based on new scientific data must be submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for evaluation, then approved by the Commission and member states.

Information about the nutritional or health benefits of foods that is not clear, accurate or substantiated will not be permitted. In addition, claims referring to rates or amounts of weight loss, as well as claims referring to recommendations of individual doctors, will be banned. Health claims on alcoholic beverages above 1.2% also will not be allowed, except those referring to a reduction in alcohol content, due to the link between alcohol and health and social problems.

To give industry time to comply with the requirements of the regulation, the document includes various transitional measures. For example, foods on the market or labeled prior to the July 1 enforcement date that do not comply with the regulation can remain on the market until they expire, but no later than July 31, 2009. Trademarked or brand names of products that do not comply must be phased out within 15 years of the legislation’s enactment.

The complete text of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 can be viewed online at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_012/l_01220070118en00030018.pdf.    

INDUSTRY NEWS

Waist Not with CLA

Clinical trial results on Clarinol ™ CLA, manufactured by Lipid Nutrition, Channahon, IL, were recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition (2007; 97:550- 560). The study showed that the company’s conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces fat mass in particular locations on the body, without any additional exercise. The subjects in the six-month trial lost 2 kg of fat (equal to 4.4 lbs.) around the waist area and in the legs.

Corn Oil Gets Heart-Health Claim

In March, FDA granted a qualified health claim for corn oil: “Very limited and preliminary scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 tablespoon (16 grams) of corn oil daily may reduce the risk of heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in corn oil. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim. To achieve this possible benefit, corn oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product contains [x] grams of corn oil.” The label must also say: “See nutrition information for total fat content,” and products must comply with 21 CFR 101.13(h).

SUPPLIER NEWS

Fortitech Grows

Fortitech Mexico relocated its Coyoacán operations to a larger distribution office in Mexico City. The company is also: relocating its Fontana, CA, office to Ontario, CA; constructing a new manufacturing and laboratory facility outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and adding 35,000 sq. ft. of warehouse and manufacturing space to its Schenectady, NY, global headquarters.

Bunge Enters Joint Venture

Bunge Limited, White Plains, NY, announced a joint venture to operate a soybean processing plant with Chia Tai, Tianjin, China. Bunge will hold a majority interest and manage operations. Under the joint venture, the plant’s current daily crushing capacity of 1,000 metric tons will be expanded to 4,000 metric tons. Bunge will supply the plant from its soybean origination networks in North and South America.

Davisco Expands

As part of a recent expansion, Davisco Foods International, Inc., Lake Norden, SD, plans to boost milk throughput at the factory by 1.5 million lbs. of milk per day with the addition of ultrafiltration equipment, a separator and two pasteurizers. The company also completed construction on an additional lactose dryer.

BI Nutraceuticals Goes Halal

BI Nutraceuticals, Long Beach, CA, announced that hundreds of its food and dietary-supplement ingredients are now halal-certified by the Islamic Foods and Nutritional Council of America (IFANCA). This ensures the ingredients are acceptable for individuals who follow Muslim dietary restrictions.

Imperial Brands Acquires Todhunter

Todhunter Foods and Monarch Wine Company will now be known as Imperial Brands Gourmet & Specialty Division, due to its recent acquisition by Imperial Brands, Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Imperial Brands also purchased Florida Distillers Company, Todhunter’s manufacturing arm.

Danisco Survey Results

Danisco Sweeteners, Elmsford, NY, surveyed current and potential users of Litesse® polydextrose, and lactitol. Those in the confectionery, bakery and dairy industries reported using Litesse for low-calorie and low-glycemic applications, as well as for its sugar replacement, dietary fiber, prebiotic and satiety benefits. Respondents reported using lactitol for more than one function, including use as a polyol/sweetener, sugar replacement calorie reducer, and for low-glycemic applications. The survey pinpointed the ongoing safety of the food supply, weight loss and anti-obesity as the most significant trends affecting the food industry today and in the future. Creating products for an aging population and an increasing number of diabetics were also noted as an important trends.

Mastertaste Relaunches Website

Mastertaste, Inc., Teterboro, NJ, launched its enhanced website at www.mastertaste.com. The newly-designed site provides quick access to specific information on the company’s range of product lines, applications and technologies.

Biothera Achieves GLP Status

Biothera, Eagan, MN, achieved good laboratory practice (GLP) status, in compliance with an FDA quality-assurance program. “Good Laboratory Practice for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies” (FDA 21 CFR 58) addresses the facilities, processes and conditions under which research is planned, conducted and analyzed to ensure valid, high quality data.

Ocean Nutrition Expands

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, signed a joint venture agreement with Alicorp S.A.A, Lima, Peru, a manufacturer of food and edible oils. ONC opened an omega-3 fish oil manufacturing facility in Peru, which more than doubles its output capacity.