Health and nutrition claims

Manufacturers and importers are allowed to promote the nutrition and/or health benefits of their food products if:

• the benefits are scientifically proven
• EU rules are followed regarding labelling, presentation and advertising

Nutrition and health claims may not:

• be false, ambiguous or misleading
• cast doubt on the safety or nutritional adequacy of other foods
• encourage or condone excess consumption of a food
• state or imply that a balanced diet cannot, in and of itself, provide appropriate quantities of nutrients
• make statements that incite fear on the part of consumers

Manufacturers and importers must possess (and submit to national authorities upon request) scientific documentation attesting to the claim regarding the product.

Nutrition claims

EU law permits certain nutrition claims, which you may use if:

• you can prove that your product complies with the official definition
• the product complies with the conditions for making the nutritional claim (example: ‘salt-free' can be used only if the product contains less than 0.005 g of sodium per 100 g)

Nutrition claims authorised under EU law

Health claims

A regularly updated list of authorised and non-authorised health claims is available in the EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims. Food businesses active in the EU can use the authorised health claims only if they comply with the specific and general requirements. National authorities monitor the use of claims through inspections and legislation.

Authorisation for new claims

Would you like to make a claim not already in the EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims? Your business can apply for authorisation: the information you will need to provide is listed under article 15 of the EU regulation. Further information on the authorisation procedure appears on the European Commission's food portal.

Required information for nutrition and health claim applications

National authorities for submitting nutrition and health-claim applications

Labelling rules

You may use the health claim only if you display it together with the following information on the product's label, presentation, and advertising:

• a statement indicating the importance of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle
• the quantity of the food and pattern of consumption required to obtain the claimed beneficial effect (example: ‘30 g of walnuts consumed per day will improve the elasticity of blood vessels')
• where appropriate, a statement addressed to persons who should avoid using the food (example: ‘Not suitable for pregnant or breast-feeding women')
• a warning for products that are likely to present a health risk if consumed to excess