European Parliament Approves Omega-3 Cardiovascular Claims

14 June 2013 --- Three Article 13 omega-3 claims related to cardiovascular health were officially approved by the European Parliament earlier today. The claims had been on hold for some time because they referenced higher levels of EPA and DHA and the European Commission had suspended a decision pending a safety assessment.

EFSA published the upper limit recommendation last summer and the claims were submitted to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) for a vote last December. The approved claims will now go into effect six months from now.

The claims in question are:
•    DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels
•    DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure
•    DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride concentrations
 
While the decision was expected, it does not fully take into consideration the discussion last fall by the Health Claim Working Group (see News Alert of October 12), which raised some concerns about the wording of the claims. One important change was instituted however. Previously the last line of the proposed claim stated, “In addition information shall be given to consumers not to exceed a daily intake of 5 g of EPA and DHA combined.” The newly approved claim wording includes language that points out that supplemental sources of EPA and DHA can provide up to 5 g (above normal dietary intake). The updated claims are below:
 
DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels
•    The claim may be used only for food which provides a daily intake of 2 g of DHA and which contains DHA in combination with EPA. In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of DHA. When the claim is used on food supplements and/or fortified foods, information shall also be given to consumers not to exceed a supplemental daily intake of 5 g of EPA and DHA combined.
 
DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure
•    The claim may be used only for food which provides a daily intake of 3 g of EPA and DHA. In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3 g of EPA and DHA. When the claim is used on food supplements and/or fortified foods, information shall also be given to consumers not to exceed a supplemental daily intake of 5 g of EPA and DHA combined.
 
DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride concentrations
•    The claim may be used only for food which provides a daily intake of 2 g of EPA and DHA. In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of EPA and DHA. When the claim is used on food supplements and/or fortified foods, information shall also be given to consumers not to exceed a supplemental daily intake of 5 g of EPA and DHA combined.
 
GOED believes this approval is further evidence not only of the cardiovascular benefits of EPA and DHA, but also of their general safety. According to GOED’s Harry Rice, “Because of the rigor behind the claims' evaluations, the adoption of these claims is important not just in the EU, but globally, where other governments may consider the adoption of similar claims. GOED was never concerned that the claims wouldn't be adopted as we view this as a science-based process and the science supports the claims.”