Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and increase of non-haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to review the scientific comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) and increase of non-haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments originating from the applicant (Probi AB) were submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services. EFSA has reviewed the comments with the contribution of the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims, the chair of the NDA Panel and one expert member of the NDA Panel. In its opinion adopted on 28 June 2016, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) concluded that the scientific evidence is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of Lp299v and increase of non-haem iron absorption. The comments received do not require any change in the conclusions of the NDA Panel.