EU legislation: Nutrition and health claims on food

If you export food with any claims regarding its beneficiary effects on health or nutrition, you have to take into account the EU legislation on nutrition claims (e.g. ‘low sugar’) and health claims (e.g. ‘helps lower blood pressure’).

The EU is expected to draw up a positive list of claims which are allowed by the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012. Claims which are not in this list, cannot be made on food marketed in the EU. However, as an exporter of food you can apply for the inclusion of a new claim if you have enough scientific evidence of the beneficiary effects of the food or nutrients involved.

This document provides more information on nutrition and health claims, their conditions of use in the EU, subsequent labelling requirements and the application procedure. Please note  that the application procedure can be a complex and time- and money-consuming matter and must therefore be taken seriously.

Relevant Market Sectors

Coffee, tea and cocoa, Fishery products, Food ingredients, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Honey, beewax and sugars, Natural colours, flavours and thickeners, Organic food products, Preserved Fruit and Vegetables, Processed fruits, vegetables and nuts, Rice and pulses, Spices and Herbs, Vegetable oils and fats