Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to linoleic acid and maintenance of neurological function (ID 732, 2897) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
Carlo Agostoni, Jean-Louis Bresson, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Albert Flynn, Ines Golly, Hannu Korhonen, Pagona Lagiou, Martinus Løvik, Rosangela Marchelli, Ambroise Martin, Bevan Moseley, Monika Neuhäuser-Berthold, Hildegard Przyrembel, Seppo Salminen, Yolanda Sanz, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Stephan Strobel, Inge Tetens, Daniel Tomé, Hendrik van Loveren, and Hans Verhagen.
Acknowledgment
The Panel wishes to thank for the preparation of this opinion: The members of the Working Group on Claims: Carlo Agostoni, Jean-Louis Bresson, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Albert Flynn, Ines Golly, Marina Heinonen, Hannu Korhonen, Martinus Løvik, Ambroise Martin, Hildegard Przyrembel, Seppo Salminen, Yolanda Sanz, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Inge Tetens, Hendrik van Loveren and Hans Verhagen. The members of the Claims Sub-Working Group on Mental/Nervous System: Jacques Rigo, Astrid Schloerscheidt, Barbara Stewart-Knox, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Joachim Westenhoefer and Peter Willatts.
Contact
nda@efsa.europa.eu
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 linoleic acid and maintenance of normal neurological function. 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 claim is linoleic acid. The Panel considers that linoleic acid is sufficiently characterised.
The claimed effect is “brain development and maturation of neurosensorial functions”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Brain development and maturation of neurosensorial functions are interpreted by the Panel as neurological development and function. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal neurological function is a beneficial physiological effect.
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of linoleic acid and maintenance of normal neurological function.
Linoleic acid, neurological function, health claims
