Commission Midday Express, 13 December 2012
From 14 December 2012 the Health Claims Regulation (EC) No 432/2012 which authorises 222 health claims on food products enters into force.
The Regulation which was adopted on 16 May 2012 foresaw a transitional period allowing food companies to adapt their commercial practices to the new requirements. This transitional period expires tomorrow. Only permitted health claims featuring on the list and those which are still under consideration by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used on food packaging across the EU. The list of permitted claims will protect EU consumers against misleading claims and will ensure a level playing field for food business operators.
The priority now is to finalise the review of all health claims submitted for evaluation to EFSA which were put 'on hold' when establishing the list of permitted health claims.
For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/claims/health_claims_en.htm ; http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/