Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of health claims related to hydroxyanthracene derivatives and improvement of bowel function pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to address the scientific comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of health claims related to hydroxyanthracene derivatives and improvement of bowel function pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services originated from the applicant (Vivatech) and from academia (Champy et al.). The comments received were related to the food which was the subject of the claim, the use of proprietary data, and the risks associated with the consumption of hydroxyanthracene derivatives. EFSA has reviewed and shared these comments with the chair of the NDA Panel and the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims. In its Opinion adopted on 09 October 2013, the NDA Panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of hydroxyanthracene derivatives and improvement of bowel function. The comments received do not require any change to the conclusions of the NDA Panel.