The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) says it has sent more than 300 health claims for foods sold by Irish companies to the European Commission for adjudication.
The Irish health claims for foods and food supplements, along with claims from the rest of the EU, will be assessed by the European Food Safety Authority for inclusion on an approved list of health claims to be compiled for the commission.
After January 2010, the claims on the list will be the only ones allowed on food products sold throughout the EU.
A health claim is any statement that suggests a relationship between a food or one of its ingredients and good health.
Typical claims include assertions that a product is, for example, "good for digestion", "aids a healthy heart" or "promotes healthy skins".
Up to now, there has been little regulation of the claims made by manufacturers, aside from a requirement not to mislead consumers. This has been hard to prove in practice. The list includes well-known claims for the alleged benefits provided by a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as more novel claims for sports drinks, sweeteners and food supplements. The companies making the claims are not identified, but it is clear many come from the dairy sector.
Milk, it is claimed, is important for healthy gums and teeth, helps the formation of healthy bones, contributes to good eyesight and a healthy pregnancy, and protects against stroke and heart disease.
Hard cheese is said to be beneficial for teeth and helps gut health. Another claim asserts that consuming three servings of dairy products a day helps people keep their weight down.
Black tea is claimed to be "second only to water" as the healthiest hydration fluid, while another claim for tea says it is "pleasant tasting and helps you feel and look good", as well as giving energy and curbing weight.
Not to be outdone, coffee is said to contain anti-oxidants that may support the body's natural cell defences, while a similar claim is made for chocolate.
One manufacturer has submitted a claim for breakfast cereals, saying that people who eat them tend to be slimmer than those who do not.
Another claims people who eat breakfast are more mentally alert, perform better and have better general wellbeing in the mornings.
According to the FSAI, the new rules on nutrition and health claims will ensure that consumers are not misled about the health effects of food products and are able to make a more informed choice about their food choices.
"When the EU list is adopted, consumers can be confident that the health claims on any food products or supplements that they buy are scientifically justified, easily understood and are not exaggerated in any way," said Dr John O'Brien, chief executive of the FSAI.
The FSAI has included all claims submitted by food businesses on the list, but says this does not mean it endorses or approves of them.
In many cases, it notes shortcomings in the references cited to support a particular claim.
