health claim
Any practice (e.g. a statement or visual) used in food marketing to suggest that health benefits can be gained from consuming a given food, nutrient or ingredient
A health claim in food safety and nutrition is a statement made on a food or drink product that suggests it has a beneficial effect on health, such as “calcium helps maintain healthy bones” or “fibre contributes to normal digestion.” Health claims must be backed by strong scientific evidence to ensure they are truthful and not misleading to consumers.
EFSA evaluates health claims by reviewing scientific studies to determine whether the claimed effect is supported by evidence. Our assessments focus on the relationship between a food or its components and the claimed health benefit, the amount needed to achieve the effect, and the target population. EFSA’s opinions help EU authorities decide whether a health claim can legally be used on a product, ensuring consumers receive accurate and reliable information about food and health.