Scientific Documents

Dairy and dental health - Scientific substantiation of a health claim pursuant related to dairy products (milk and cheese) and dental health to Article 14 of Regulation (EC)[1] - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies

Summary (30 KB)

Opinion (54 KB)

Summary

Following an application from National Dairy Council submitted pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Ireland, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to dairy foods (milk and cheese) and dental health.

The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim referring to children’s development and health.

In the present application the food category dairy foods is defined as including milk and cheese. The Panel considers that the foods for which the claim is made (milk and cheese) are not sufficiently characterised, e.g. nutritional composition and its variability between products were not provided.

The claimed effect ‘promote dental health’ relates to reduction of dental caries development. Dental caries is a disease with a high prevalence in the EU, particularly in children. Dietary factors may influence the development of dental caries. The target population is children.

Four observational, cross-sectional studies report either lower caries frequency in children with milk consumption compared to those who do not drink milk or significantly lower milk consumption in children with caries symptoms as compared to children without caries. No association between caries status and milk consumption has been found in two prospective cohort studies. No intervention studies were provided on the effect of milk on dental caries development in children. Studies in rodents indicate that cow’s milk is noncariogenic and that milk may have a mild protective effect against the cariogenic effect of sucrose. The Panel considers that the evidence provided is insufficient to establish a cause-effect relationship between consumption of milk and reduction of dental caries development in children.

One intervention study investigated the effects of one 5-gram piece of hard cheese daily on caries increment measured as decayed missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) in children 7-9 years. At the end of the two-year intervention period, DMFS in the intervention group (0.65) was significantly lower than in the control group (2.4). The Panel considers that the significant weaknesses of this study limit its value as a source of data to substantiate a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of hard cheese and reduction of dental caries development in children.

One prospective cohort study and one observational, cross-sectional study in children report a caries protective effect of hard cheeses and indicate a dose-response association. However, neither of these studies described the dietary pattern or other lifestyle factors in a comprehensive manner. One prospective cohort study finds no association between reported cheese consumption and caries development.