Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin C and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 129, 138, 143, 148), antioxidant function of lutein (ID 146), maintenance of vision (ID 141, 142), collagen formation (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149), function of the nervous system (ID 133), function of the immune system (ID 134), function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise (ID 144), non-haem iron absorption (ID 132, 147), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 135), and relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract (ID 1714, 1715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

No abstract available

This scientific output, published on 9 December 2010, replaces the earlier version published on 1 October 2009[1].

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 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to vitamin C and the following claimed effects: protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, antioxidant function of lutein, maintenance of vision, collagen formation, function of the nervous system, function of the immune system, function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise, non-haem iron absorption, energy-yielding metabolism, and relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. 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 vitamin C, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that vitamin C is sufficiently characterised.

The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, normal collagen formation, normal function of the nervous system, normal function of the immune system, maintenance of normal function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise, non-haem iron absorption and normal energy-yielding metabolism.

The Panel considers that, in order to bear a claim, a food should be at least a source of vitamin C as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claim related to the maintenance of normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise, a food should contain at least 200 mg vitamin C to be consumed daily in addition to the usual diet. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is subjects performing intense physical exercise.

The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the promotion of the antioxidant function of lutein, and the relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract.

The evidence provided is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the dietary intake of vitamin C intake and the maintenance of normal vision.

Vitamin C, collagen formation, immune function, oxidative damage, energy metabolism, non-haem iron absorption, physical exercise, health claims.