Use and control of claims

Food products might contain a lot of various nutritional substances and other substances to which indications might be applied. Due to this reason, since 2006, the European Commission has determined general principles that are applicable to all indications on food products with the aim to ensure high level of protection of consumers,to provide information that is necessary for the consumers to make their choice based on facts and to ensure equal terms for the competition in food production.

Use of indications on nutritional value and health claims:

• use of indications on nutritional value and health claims is voluntary;
• in case of use, it must be done in accordance with the requirements laid down in the legislation;
• indications on nutritional value and health claims must correspond to the requirements of the European Parliament and Council in all cases when they are used for commercial purposes, including TV and radio commercials, brochures and etc.

The following health claims are not permitted:

• indications stating that abstaining from the use of the respective food product can have an adverse influence on health;
• indications on the speed or amount of weight loss;
• indications on recommendations provided by individual doctors or health specialists and the associations providing the recommendations and proposals that are not regulated by EU legislation or the regulations of the respective country.

For Your notice:

• trade mark, brand name or fancy name appearing in the labelling, presentation or advertising of a food which may be construed as a nutrition or health claim may be used without undergoing the authorisation procedures provided for in this Regulation, provided that it is accompanied by a related nutrition or health claim in that labelling, presentation or advertising (Regulation (EK) Nr. 1924/2006);
• reference to general, non-specific benefits of the nutrient or food for overall good health or health-related well-being may only be made if accompanied by a specific health claim (Regulation (EK) Nr. 1924/2006);
• nutrition labelling of products on which a nutrition and/or health claim is made shall be mandatory, with the exception of generic advertising. The information to be provided shall consist of that specified in Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. Where a nutrition and/or health claim is made for a nutrient referred to in Article 30(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 the amount of that nutrient shall be declared in accordance with Articles 31 to 34 of that Regulation (Regulation (EK) Nr. 1169/2011).

The use of health claims is supervised by the inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service. In case food products with unauthorized health claims appear in sale, these products are to be withdrawn from the sale and their re-labelling must be made.

Consumers have the right to report to the Food and Veterinary Service or Consumer Protection Centre regarding cases of unjustified/incorrect/suspicious cases of the use of the indications on nutritional value and health claims.