Last march 21th, EFSA has published guidance for applicants seeking approval of products carrying health claims related to appetite ratings, weight management and blood glucose concentrations. The document follows previous guidance on claims related to gut and immune function; and those related to antioxidants and cardiovascular health.
The public consultation of the draft permits to bring clarification about markers, methods and times, but no addition information about appetite rating was brought.
Even if this guidance brings new recommendation, it is not sufficient to perform high quality clinical trials in order to receive a positive opinion from EFSA.

Opinion of a Nutraveris’ expert:
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/EFSA-weight-management-guidance-Useful-for-novices-says-EU-consultant/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily&c=RMoSHsT5xNJSBCDe%2F99TJQ%3D%3D

References: EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Guidance on the scientific requirements for health claims related to appetite ratings, weight management, and blood glucose concentrations. EFSA Journal 2012;10(3):2604.

The news about the EC regulation 1924/2006 are rapidly changing, the publication of the positive list of generic health claims is imminent. What implications for the Nutrition & Health market?
Pauline Louette, a Nutraveris scientific expert, presents the situation surrounding this regulation which is revolutionizing communication in Health & Nutrition.
Interested by this training: contact@nutraveris.com

ADRIA training in Paris 28 and 29/03/2012

Saffron, already known and well described for the benefit on stress, sexual behavior, satiety, seems also interesting for its action on the Th(2) immunity pathway. Thus, the results of a new study show its specific immunomodulatory effect on the Th(2), but not on the Th(1) response.

Oral administration of alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus (ACS) at graded dose levels from 1.56-50 mg/kg potentiated the Th(2) response of humoral immunity causing the significant increases in agglutinating antibody titre in mice at a dose of 6.25 mg/kg and an elevation of CD19(+) B cells and IL-4 cytokine, a signature cytokine of Th(2) pathway. Appreciable elevation in levels of IgG-1 and IgM antibodies of the primary and secondary immune response was observed. However, ACS showed no appreciable expression of the Th(1) cytokines IL-2 (growth factor for CD4(+) T cells) and IFN-γ (signature cytokine of Th(1) response). A significant modulation of immune reactivity was observed in all the animal models used. This work show new possibilities for the use of saffron in the improvement of immunity and show once again the potential and the beneficial effects of this ingredient on health.

References: Bani S, Pandey A, Agnihotri VK, Pathania V, Singh B. Selective Th2 Upregulation by Crocus sativus: A Neutraceutical Spice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011. pii: 639862.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), an American association for consumer protection, who had already raised the alarm, reiterated its call to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the caramel colorings, E150 which color Coca-Cola, the best-selling soft drink in the world, but also other soft drinks, soy sauce and some beers. The cause is the high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI), a compound that would be carcinogenic in animals, released during the manufacture of the dye.

To achieve this position, CSPI collected samples from different sodas. According to the results, Pepsi’s products had 145 to 153 µg of 4-MI per can. Regular Coca-Cola had 142 to 146 µg and Diet Coke had 103 to 113 µg per can. To put those levels into context, the state of California has a 29-microgram benchmark for 4-MI. Levels above that in a serving of food or beverage may be required to bear a warning notice. In Europe, EFSA also discussed the issue and re-evaluated the safety of these coloring substances one year ago. Based on available data, EFSA has considered that the caramel colorings were neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic and that there were no concerns regarding reproductive and/or developmental toxicity. The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) was set at 300 mg/kg bw/day applicable to the three dyes (E 150 a, b, d) with a more conservative ADI of 100 mg/kg bw/day for the coloring E150c because of the potential immunotoxicity of one of its components 2-acetyl-4-tétrahydroxibutylimidazole (THI).

In any case, interesting fact, the CSPI asked that the appellation “caramel” was changed to a less misleading name for consumers who could interpret that as coming from melted sugar. The name of the coloring substances containing 4-MEI should be therefore changed into “ammonia-sulfite process caramel coloring” or “chemically modified caramel coloring” for labeling purposes.

Thus, we can ask ourselves about the risks associated with these coloring substances, but it is reminiscent that there are other risks associated with excessive consumption of soft drinks, such as overweight, and that consumption of these products is not recommended in large quantities.

References: “Lab Tests Find Carcinogen in Regular and Diet Coke and Peps” from CSPI / EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the reevaluation of caramel colours (E 150a,b,c,d) as food additives. EFSA Journal 2011;9(3):2004 [103 pp.]