Industry needs time to adjust to ‘morphing’ European regulations

Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag, tells Stephen Daniells how, despite have over 250 peer-reviewed articles supporting the potential health benefits of the company’s French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol, he is still concerned about the “governance and guidance given by EFSA”​.

“We’re still in the guessing game on how to go about it in building up a positive case,” ​he said.

Ferrari pointed to Health Canada’s “wonderful job”​ assessing the quality and safety of products, as well regulating the claim structures in the market place.

“We would obviously welcome more communication between the regulatory bodies around the world. If they could exchange specific aspects of these regulations – be them in quality, safety, efficacy and communication – but we don’t see this happening at this stage,”​ said Ferrari.

“We have to give everyone involved a fair chance to learn, at the industry and panel level. “​

“The way we are now is totally unsatisfactory,”​ he said.

This article is the result of NutraIngredients funded visit to Horphag’s site in Bordeaux, France. Editorial independence is guaranteed by NutraIngredients.com.