A new technical regulation from the European Commission (2016/1413) amending usage conditions for two health claims for meal substitutes for weight control, published at the end of August, was praised by industry professionals on Thursday 1 September.
The two health claims are that replacing one of the main meals of the day in a low-calorie diet with a meal substitute helps maintain weight after weight loss and replacing two of the main meals of the day in a low-calorie diet with meal substitutes helps one to lose weight.
The amendments made by the regulation concern the energy value, the fat content, the protein content and the ingredients of meal substitutes. The main change is a reduction in the maximum energy content per portion to between 200 and 250 kcal rather than between 200 and 400 kcal in order for these health claims to be authorised. The nutritional characteristics are the same as those that apply under the directive on food information used in low-calorie diets for losing weight (Commission Directive 96/8/EC).
SNE hails progress. In a press release, association Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE), which represents the interests of manufacturers of specialised food products in Europe, welcomed adoption of a regulation aligned with the EU’s general food rules while preserving a high level of projection for consumers. It also welcomed the fact that the regulation includes a three-year transition period, running until 14 September 2019, to allow industry professionals to adapt to the new measures.
The technical regulation replaces EU Regulation 432/2012/EU on health claims other than those referring to the risk of illness or to the health and development of children, often added quite legally to the labelling of food products because based on scientific data validated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)