Authorised EU health claim for foods with a low or reduced content of saturated fatty acids

Livingstone, KM

doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-382-9.00014-1

Authorised EU health claim for foods with a low or reduced content of saturated fatty acids

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Katherine Livingstone

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Abstract

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved. The European Food Safety Authority issued a positive opinion for use of the following health claim: 'Consumption of saturated fat increases blood cholesterol concentrations; consumption of foods with reduced amounts of saturated fat may help to maintain normal blood cholesterol concentrations'. As a result, further to the authorisation procedures, the wording for the authorised health claim is 'Reducing consumption of saturated fat contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels'. In order to bear the given health claim, the following nutrition claims must be satisfied: 'LOW SATURATED FAT' or 'REDUCED'. The substantiating evidence for this claim is based primarily on meta-analyses, in which the effect of saturated fatty acids on blood cholesterol concentrations are compared with carbohydrates, trans-fatty acids and mono- or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to the transitory nature of blood cholesterol concentrations, future claims may need to focus on stronger predictors of CVD, such as arterial stiffness.