Health claim - Smoothie

There are numerous different potential health claims for foods but they have to be authorised and the labelling has to comply with any conditions that are specified by the legislation giving the approval. The example here relates to a Fruit smoothie which claims 'Supports your immunity':

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The Smoothie contains added vitamins and the approved claim relating to immunity comes from the presence of some of these vitamins. The supporting information for the claim is given in a statement on the back panel (see below). The first part of this statement covers the immunity claim. The approved claims are the following:

• Approved Claim: Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Conditions of use: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin C as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
• Approved Claim: Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Conditions of use: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B6 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

To be a 'Source' of a vitamin, there needs to be a significant amount present. This is defined as at least 15% of the vitamin's Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) in 100g. The NRV for Vitamin C is 80mg, for Vitamin B6 it is 1.4mg. Also given below is the nutrition panel. This shows that there are 32mg of vitamin C which is 40% of the NRV and that there are 0.5mg of Vitamin B6 which is 36% of the NRV. The conditions are therefore met.

The label also has a claim for 'helping the body's energy yielding metabolism' due to the presence of Vitamins B1, B2 and B3.The conditions for these claims are the same as those for Vitamin C and B6 and the conditions are also met.

Finally, it is worth noting that the statement also contains the required reference: 'a statement indicating the importance of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.'

For the main index page for this site, go to Food Labelling in the UK: A Guide to the Legal Requirements