The EU must make sure its health claims laws avoid hindering innovation and should provide a “clear timetable” on the next stages in the regulatory process, according to French food giant Danone.
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Under the legislation on health claims, food manufacturers operating in the EU must demonstrate that the claims they want to make on-pack are backed by credible science.
In October, Europe’s food safety watchdog, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), rejected two-thirds of the first health claim submissions as unproven.
In an industry conference in Brussels on the regulations, Danone director for external relations Patrick O’Quin said “strong regulation” is necessary but urged the EU for greater clarity within the process.
O’Quin urged the Commission to provide a “clear timetable” on the future steps of the regulation and for the EU executive to ensure that neither the health claims legislation or other regulation stymied innovation.
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By GlobalDataWe need “consistency in all EU regulations that have an impact on the food industry”, O’Quin said. He pleaded with Brussels “to develop an integrated vision that does not backfire against competitiveness and R&D”.
O’Quin’s comments echoed those of Dutch ingredients giant DSM, which last month said the EU health claims regime was having a negative impact on innovation in the food industry.
For more of just-food’s coverage from the Brussels health claims conference, click here.
