Health claims

Health claims - health claims for vitamins, minerals and other ingredients in food supplements

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

If a manufacturer wishes to use a health claim for a substance, e.g. for its advertising texts, it can apply to the EFSA for permission to use this claim. The EFSA checks whether, for example, enough scientific studies have been carried out so that the truth of the health claim can be considered scientifically proven.

This process is extremely strict. This means that once a health claim is authorised, e.g. that vitamin C contributes to the function of the immune system, you can be sure that it is true.

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

However, it is strictly forbidden to use these claims if they have not been approved by the EFSA.

There are also examples of this in this online shop. The mineral boron, for example, is very often sold in our country. However, we are not allowed to reveal what it is used for, not even here in this explanatory text, as this would otherwise have very negative consequences!
But fortunately it is not forbidden for interested parties to inform themselves here.
For laypeople, we recommend a quick search using Google, simply enter the substance you are looking for + a term such as "benefits" or "effect", and you will receive generally accessible information that we are not allowed to provide here under penalty of law.
For professionals or anyone who can speak English, we recommend the specialised database Pubmed, where you can find scientifically proven information on the benefits of most nutrients and medicinal herbs.

Of course, a health claim may only be mentioned if it contains a certain amount of vitamin C. For example, a claim that vitamin C is important for the immune system would certainly be absolutely pointless for a product that only contains 1 mg of vitamin C - the daily requirement for vitamin C is over 80 mg!
As a rule, a health claim may only be made if at least 15 % of the nutrient reference value is contained per daily portion (something similar to the daily requirement, see our page on limit values). Other values apply for some substances or health claims.

List of health claims, as of 04.10.²⁰¹⁵²

Vitamin	Health claim	Condition	REGULATION (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 function in cell specialisation.		432/2012
Vitamin D...	contributes to the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. contributes to a normal calcium level in the blood. 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 function in cell division. Vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of falls caused by postural instability and muscle weakness. Falls are a risk factor for bone fractures in men and women aged 60 and over.		432/2012
Vitamin E...	contributes to protection against 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 activity (200 mg vitamin C per day). contributes to normal collagen formation for normal blood vessel function. contributes to normal collagen formation for normal bone function. contributes to normal collagen formation for normal cartilage function. Contributes to normal collagen formation for normal gum function. Contributes to normal collagen formation for normal skin function. contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the teeth. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal psychological function. contributes to the 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 the absorption of iron.		432/2012
Thiamine...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal mental function. contributes to normal heart function.		432/2012
Riboflavin...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function 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 metabolism. contributes to the normal function 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 the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. Contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism. Contributes to normal mental function. Contributes to normal red blood cell formation. contributes to the 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 haematopoiesis. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal mental function. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a function in cell division.		432/2012
Vitamin _B12...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to normal mental function. Contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a function in cell division.		432/2012
Biotin...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to the 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 metabolism. contributes to the normal synthesis and 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 substance	Health claim	Condition	REGULATION (EU)
Potassium...	contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal muscle function. contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.		432/2012
Chlorine...	contributes to normal digestion through the formation of stomach acid.	Must not be used for chloride derived from table salt.	432/2012
Calcium...	contributes to normal signalling between nerve cells. contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes. contributes to normal blood clotting. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to normal muscle function. has a function in cell division and specialisation. is required for the maintenance of normal bones. is required for the maintenance of normal teeth. Calcium helps to reduce the loss of bone minerals in postmenopausal women. Low bone mineral density is a risk factor for bone fractures caused by osteoporosis. This also applies to taking calcium and vitamin D together.		432/2012
Phosphorus...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the cell membrane. 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 the electrolyte balance. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function 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 function in cell division.		432/2012
Iron...	contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. has a function in cell division.		432/2012
Zinc...	contributes to a normal acid-base metabolism. contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism. contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal DNA synthesis. Contributes to normal fertility and normal 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 normal testosterone levels in the blood. contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. has a function in cell division.		432/2012
Copper...	contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissue. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to normal hair pigmentation. contributes to normal iron transport in the body. contributes to the normal function of the immune system. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Manganese...	contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. contributes to normal connective tissue formation. contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.		432/2012
Fluorine...	contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation.		432/2012
Selenium...	contributes to normal sperm formation. contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. contributes to the 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 the normal metabolism of macronutrients. contributes to the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels.		432/2012
Molybdenum...	contributes to the normal metabolism of sulphur-containing amino acids.		432/2012
Iodine...	contributes to normal cognitive function. contributes to normal energy metabolism. contributes to the normal function of the nervous system. contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function.		432/2012

Other substances	Health claim	Conditions	REGULATION (EU)
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	From 2 g ALA per day.	432/2012
Beta-glucans...	contribute to a lower rise in blood sugar levels after a meal when consumed regularly. contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	Only permitted if at least 4 g of beta-glucans from oats or barley are contained per 30 g of available carbohydrates per portion and the intake takes place as part of a meal.	432/2012
Chitosan...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels	Only authorised with a minimum consumption of 3 g/day.	432/2012
Choline...	contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. contributes to a normal fat metabolism. contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function.	The claim may only be used for foods containing at least 82.5 mg choline per 100 g or 100 ml or per portion of food.	432/2012
DHA (docosahexanoic acid)...	contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function. contributes to the maintenance of normal visual function.	Only authorised for foods/supplements that contain at least 40mg DHA / 100g or 100 kcal and at least 250 mg DHA is taken daily...	432/2012
DHA (docosahexanoic acid)...	contributes to the maintenance of normal triglyceride levels in the blood	With a daily intake of 2 g DHA or more. The total consumption must not exceed 5 g DHA+EPA.	536/2013
DHA (docosahexanoic acid)...	The intake of DHA by the mother contributes to normal development of the eyes in the foetus and in the breastfed infant. of the brain in the foetus and breastfed infant.	With a daily intake of 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 of 3 g DHA+EPA or more. The total consumption 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 normal blood triglyceride levels		536/2013
Betaine...	contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.	Only authorised if one serving contains at least 500 mg betaine with a total daily intake of 1.5 g betaine.	432/2012
Fat...	Contributes to the 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 low-calorie diet (3 g/day).		432/2012
Guar gum...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (10 g/day)		432/2012
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose...	contributes to a lower rise in blood glucose levels after a meal (4 g/day). contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (5 g/day) as part of a meal.		432/2012
Linoleic acid...	contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (1.5 g/100 g and 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 the neutralisation of acidic 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. The use of unsaturated fatty acids instead of saturated fatty acids in the diet has been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Creatine...	increases physical performance during high-speed strength training as part of short-term intensive physical activity.
Melatonin	Melatonin helps to alleviate the subjective feeling 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 functional drug, no longer a dietary supplement!
Monascus purpureus (red mould rice)	Monacolin K from red mould rice contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.	According to general legal opinion, Monascus purpureis products are now categorised 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!