Scientific Opinion on the modification of the authorisation of a health claim related to cocoa flavanols and maintenance of normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 following a request in accordance with Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Barry Callebaut Belgium NV, submitted pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the modification of the authorisation of a health claim related to “cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow”, pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The modification concerns an extension of the authorised conditions of use of the claim to a high-flavanols (HF) cocoa extract to be consumed in capsules, tablets or added to “other foods, including beverages”. Cocoa flavanols, which are the subject of the health claim, have been sufficiently characterised. Maintenance of normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation is a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of cocoa flavanols in the HF cocoa extract (i.e. in capsules or tablets) and maintenance of normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In order to obtain the claimed effect, 200 mg of cocoa flavanols should be consumed daily. This amount could be provided by less than one gram of HF cocoa extract in capsules or tablets, and can be consumed in the context of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.