UK group issues health claims guidance
It also provides advice about 2000-odd claims that are on hold including some 1500 botanical submissions over which there is a debate about whether tradition-of-use data can be substantiate claims or not.
Advice on formulation, the impact on health professional communications, use of consumer testimonials and claim-making for specific nutrients likechondroitin, probiotics and antioxidants also features.
“With the deadline for the NHCR [nutrition and health claims regulation] compliance fast approaching, it is a vital time for manufacturers to ensure they are fully prepared,” said HFMA executive director, Graham Keen.
“While the enforcement and interpretation of legislation is a matter for the applicable regulatory body and/or the courts, not the HFMA, we are aiming to provide guidance to members on our interpretation of the law, to best help them comply with this significant Regulation.”
The group is hosting a workshop on these matters on 18th September in London. More information on that can be found here.
While the HFMA attempts to help its members stay within the new laws, it will be hoping some of the adaptations may not be necessary if the legal challenge it has mounted to the NHCR succeeds before the December 14 deadline.
The challenge is joined by the Dutch group Gezondheidsproducten Nederland (NPN) and seeks to annul the recently published article 13.1 register of claims approved and rejected claims.
The challenge is being mounted on several grounds including disproportionality and lack of guidance and legal certainty.
