EFSA rejects two skin health claims made by Swiss firm

By Andrew McDougall

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Nutrition

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected two health claims submitted by Nutrilinks Sarl that sought to link skin permeability barrier function and skin hydration to two different food constituents.

The two constituents in question were identified as a flaxseed oil and vitamin E combination, and hyaluronic acid.

Flaxseed oil/ Vit E blend

Following the application from Nutrilinks, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E and maintenance of the skin permeability barrier function.

The claimed effect being it “contributes to maintain skin permeability barrier function”, ​targeting healthy adults with dry and sensitive skin.

Nutrilinks identified two published human intervention studies as being pertinent to the health claim.

However, owing to the very limited information provided regarding key methodological aspects and to the important limitations of the statistical analysis performed, the Panel considered that no conclusions can be drawn from these studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim.

Hyaluronic acid claim

The second constituent in question sought substantiation of the health claim related to hyaluronic acid and protection of the skin against dehydration, targeting the general population.

Only one study was identified in this case by the Swiss company as pertinent to the claim, and was a single-arm study with no control group.

The Panel noted that this study was uncontrolled and considered that no conclusions could be drawn from this for the scientific substantiation of the claim.

No causality shown

Having investigated the two claims made about both food constituents, EFSA deemed that causality had not been demonstrated.

For a look at the full opinion on hyaluronic acid click here​ and for the full opinion on the flaxseed oil and vitamin E combo click here​.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Innovation in convenient formats: vegan gummies

Innovation in convenient formats: vegan gummies

Content provided by Cambridge Commodities | 05-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

Supplements and vitamins in pill form have been around for decades, but consumers are now seeking alternatives that fit with their busy lifestyles and...

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Content provided by Aker BioMarine | 23-Feb-2024 | White Paper

The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars