Healthy frustration
The process of consolidating the mountain of health claims submitted under article 13 of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation could take until June, European Commission (EC) officials have confirmed.
This will leave scientists at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) less than 18 months to assess them for scientific efficacy, which many observers claim is not enough time to do the job properly.
Manufacturers argue the process could have run more smoothly had the EC issued clearer guidance on how to make applications in the first place. One firm with interests in the weight management field, said: "The whole process has been poorly managed, with different Member States all taking different approaches and no clear definition of what 'generally accepted science' actually means [the criteria by which article 13 claims are to be judged]."
It also expressed fears over the rigour of the assessment process given the tight deadline: "I just hope EFSA brings in the appropriate experts and gives them sufficient time to look at all the evidence."
