Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to pantothenic acid and energy-yielding metabolism (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208), mental performance (ID 57), maintenance of bone (ID 61), maintenance of teeth (ID 61), maintenance of hair (ID 61), maintenance of skin (ID 61), maintenance of nails (ID 61) and synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters (ID 181) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

No abstract available

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to pantothenic acid and the following claimed effects: energy-yielding metabolism, mental performance, maintenance of bone, maintenance of teeth, maintenance of hair, maintenance of skin, maintenance of nails and synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders.

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is pantothenic acid, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that pantothenic acid is sufficiently characterised.

The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal mental performance and normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters.

However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired function of the above mentioned health relationships occurs in the general EU population.

The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claims, a food should be at least a source of pantothenic acid as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal bone, maintenance of normal teeth, maintenance of normal hair, maintenance of normal skin or maintenance of normal nails.

Pantothenic acid, energy-yielding metabolism, mental, bone, teeth, hair, skin, nails, steroid hormones, vitamin D, neurotransmitters, health claims.