Nutrition and health claims are used by food businesses when they want to highlight particular beneficial effects of their food products, in relation to health and nutrition, on the product label or in its advertising.
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (opens in new window) on nutrition and health claims on food came into effect on 1st July 2007. It covers all foods as well as natural mineral waters, water intended for human consumption and food supplements.
The legislation not only applies to claims made on food products, it also applies to all commercial communications including labelling, presentation, or advertising that the final consumer may see.
The regulation covers all foods, including food in packaging, food supplied in bulk, unpacked food or food intended for supply to restaurants, hospitals, canteens, and similar mass caterers. The regulation does not apply to claims made in non-commercial communications such as:
- dietary guidelines.
- advice issued by public health authorities and bodies.
- information in the press and in the scientific publications.
In order to make compliant nutrition or health claims on food, food businesses need to be aware of the rules surrounding making a claim. Access advice on when permitted claims can be used.
Specific conditions of use for health claims that have been approved are listed on the EU Register (opens in new window). These can be used by any business provided the product meets all conditions of use. Although slight flexibility of wording used is permitted, food businesses should keep the wording as close as possible to the authorised wording listed on the EU Register. For further information see wording of health claims.
For claims which are not listed on the EU register, which businesses want to use, and have evidence to support the claim, businesses must apply to EFSA for authorisation of this claim. You can access advice on applying for authorisation of Articles 13(5), 14, and 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on the Permitted Claims webpage.