Proposed European Legislation on Claims to hit Functional Food, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements industry

The growing number of health claims made on foods and the increasing incidence of obesity and non-communicable diseases in Europe have united the Member States of the European Union around new legislation on nutrition and health claims. This proposal, which was met with mixed emotions by the food industry, will fundamentally change the way in which many functional foods, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are marketed in the EU. While the proposal will create a centralised pre-marketing authorisation procedure and make Reduction of Disease Risk Claims possible, it is expected to drive from products many of the lower level claims currently in use.

While the draft has been welcomed by some of the larger multi-national food companies many smaller businesses are still largely unaware of the tidal wave that is going to hit them when this legislation comes into force.

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