Health Claims

Health Claims - Health-permitted statements for vitamins, minerals and other ingredients in food supplements

Health claims are health-permitted statements for vitamins, minerals and a few other substances. They are decided by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)¹.

If a manufacturer wants to use a health-related statement about a substance, e.g. in its advertising text, it can apply to EFSA for permission to use that statement. EFSA examines whether, for example, there are sufficient scientific studies so that the veracity of the health-related statement can be considered scientifically established.

This process is extremely strict. That means, once a health claim has been approved, for example that vitamin C contributes to the function of the immune system, you can rely on that being true.

On the other hand, it does not mean that a substance has no other effects than those approved by EFSA. There are countless examples of vitamins, minerals, medicinal herbs, etc., for which there are even many scientific studies on diseases where they are helpful.

It is simply strictly forbidden to use these statements if they have not been cleared by EFSA.

This online shop also gives examples here. The mineral boron, for example, is sold very frequently by us. But what it is helpful for we are not allowed to reveal, not even here in this explanatory text, as that would otherwise have very negative consequences!
But fortunately it is not forbidden for those interested to inform themselves here.
For laypeople a quick Google search is recommended: simply enter the substance you are looking for + a term such as "benefits" or "effects" and you will get publicly available information that we are not allowed to give here under threat of penalty.
For professionals or anyone who understands English, we recommend the specialist database PubMed, where you can obtain scientifically established information on the benefits of most nutrients and medicinal herbs.

Of course, a health claim may only be mentioned from a certain content level. Thus the note that vitamin C is important for the immune system would certainly be absolutely pointless for a product that contains only 1 mg of vitamin C - the daily requirement for vitamin C is over 80 mg!
In general, a health claim may only be made if at least 15% of the nutrient reference value is contained per daily portion (something like the daily requirement, see our page on limit values!). Different values apply to some substances or health claims.

List of health claims, as at 04.10.2015²

Vitamin	Health claim	Condition	Reg. (EU)
Vitamin A...	contributes to normal iron metabolism. contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. has a role in cell specialization.		432/2012
Vitamin D...	contributes to normal calcium and phosphorus absorption/utilisation. contributes to maintenance of normal blood calcium levels. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function. contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. has a role in cell division. Vitamin D contributes to reducing the risk of falling due to postural instability and muscle weakness. Falls are a risk factor for bone fractures in men and women aged 60 years and over.		432/2012
Vitamin E...	contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Vitamin K...	contributes to normal blood clotting. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.		432/2012
Vitamin C...	contributes to the normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise (200 mg vitamin C per day). contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels. contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones. contributes to normal collagen formation for normal cartilage function. contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the gums. contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the teeth. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E. increases iron absorption.		432/2012
Thiamin...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to normal heart function.		432/2012
Riboflavin...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. contributes to normal iron metabolism. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.		432/2012
Niacin...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.		432/2012
Vitamin B₆...	contributes to normal cysteine synthesis. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to normal formation of red blood cells. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.		432/2012
Folic acid...	contributes to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy. contributes to normal amino acid synthesis. contributes to normal blood formation. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a role in cell division.		432/2012
Vitamin B₁₂...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to normal formation of red blood cells. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a role in cell division.		432/2012
Biotin...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal metabolism of macronutrients. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.		432/2012
Pantothenic acid...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal synthesis and normal metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. contributes to normal mental performance.		432/2012

Mineral	Health claim	Condition	Reg. (EU)
Potassium...	contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal muscle function. contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.		432/2012
Chloride...	contributes to normal digestion through the production of stomach acid.	May not be used for chloride obtained from table salt.	432/2012
Calcium...	contributes to normal neurotransmission between nerve cells. contributes to normal function of digestive enzymes. contributes to normal blood clotting. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal muscle function. has a role in cell division and specialization. is needed for the maintenance of normal bones. is needed for the maintenance of normal teeth. Calcium contributes to reducing the loss of bone mineral in postmenopausal women. Low bone mineral density is a risk factor for osteoporosis-related bone fractures. This also applies to the combined intake of calcium and vitamin D.		432/2012
Phosphorus...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal cell membrane function. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.		432/2012
Magnesium...	contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. contributes to electrolyte balance. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal muscle function. contributes to normal protein synthesis. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth. has a role in cell division.		432/2012
Iron...	contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a role in cell division.		432/2012
Zinc...	contributes to normal acid-base metabolism. contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism. contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal DNA synthesis. contributes to normal fertility and reproduction. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to normal metabolism of macronutrients. contributes to normal fatty acid metabolism. contributes to normal vitamin A metabolism. contributes to normal protein synthesis. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to the maintenance of a normal testosterone level in the blood. contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. has a role in cell division.		432/2012
Copper...	contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissue. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to normal hair pigmentation. contributes to normal iron transport in the body. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Manganese...	contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to normal connective tissue formation. contributes to protecting cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Fluoride...	contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation.		432/2012
Selenium...	contributes to normal sperm production. contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. contributes to normal function of the immune system. contributes to normal thyroid function. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Chromium...	contributes to normal metabolism of macronutrients. contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.		432/2012
Molybdenum...	contributes to normal metabolism of sulphur-containing amino acids.		432/2012
Iodine...	contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function.		432/2012

Other substances	Health claim	Conditions	Reg. (EU)
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	From 2 g ALA per day.	432/2012
Beta-glucans...	when consumed regularly, contribute to a lower post-meal rise in blood glucose levels. contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	Only permitted if at least 4 g beta-glucans from oats or barley per 30 g available carbohydrates per portion are present and intake occurs as part of a meal.	432/2012
Chitosan...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	Only permitted with a minimum consumption of 3 g/day.	432/2012
Choline...	contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal fat metabolism. contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function.	The claim may only be used for foods that contain at least 82.5 mg choline per 100 g or 100 ml or per portion of the food.	432/2012
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)...	contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function. contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.	Only permitted for foods/food supplements that contain at least 40 mg DHA / 100 g or per 100 kcal and when at least 250 mg DHA are consumed daily.	432/2012
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)...	contributes to the maintenance of a normal triglyceride level in the blood	For a daily intake from 2 g DHA. Total intake must not exceed 5 g DHA+EPA.	536/2013
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)...	Maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal development of the eyes of the fetus and breastfed infants. of the brain of the fetus and breastfed infants.	With a daily intake of at least 250 mg DHA+EPA and an additional 200 mg DHA.	440/2011
DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids)...	contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure	With a daily intake from 3 g DHA+EPA. Total intake must not exceed 5 g DHA+EPA.	536/2013
DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids)...	contribute to normal heart function.		432/2012
DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids)...	contribute to the maintenance of a normal triglyceride level in the blood		536/2013
Betaine...	contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.	Only permitted if a portion contains at least 500 mg betaine with a daily total intake of 1.5 g betaine.	432/2012
Fat...	contributes to normal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.		432/2012
Glucomannan...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (4 g/day). contributes to weight loss as part of a calorie-restricted diet (3 g/day).		432/2012
Guar gum...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (10 g/day)		432/2012
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose...	when consumed as part of a meal, contributes to a lower post-meal rise in blood glucose levels (4 g/day). when consumed as part of a meal, contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (5 g/day).		432/2012
Linoleic acid...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (1.5 g/100 g as well as at least 10 g/day).		432/2012
Proteins ...	contribute to an increase in muscle mass. contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. contribute to the maintenance of normal bones.		432/2012
Sugar-free chewing gum...	contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation. contributes to neutralisation of acidic dental plaque. contributes to the reduction of dry mouth.		432/2012
Phytosterols / phytostanols...	contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (at least 0.8 g/day).		432/2012
Monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids	Replacing saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Replacing saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fatty acids in the diet has been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol levels. A high cholesterol level is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Creatine...	increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise.
Melatonin	Melatonin contributes to the relief of the subjective sensation of jet lag. Melatonin helps to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep.	From 0.5 mg per portion (capsule, drops, spray) a product is a medicinal product, no longer a food supplement!
Monascus purpureus (red yeast rice)	Monacolin K from red yeast rice contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	According to prevailing legal opinion, Monascus purpureus products are now classified as medicines!

Sources:

¹ Source: EFSA European Food Safety Authority / Regulation (EU) No. 432/2012.

² We do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this information!