The use of algae biomass in foods is a growing market in Europe. On February 2024,a list of more than 20 new algae species has been added to the Novel Food catalogue. When there is the evidence of a traditional use of algae in any EU Member State before 15 May 1997, their use as foods and food supplements is not considered as novel and is not subject to a long and costly pre-market approval procedure according to the Novel Food Regulation. A list of around 50 algae species considered as not novel is now available in the EU Novel Food catalogue.
On March 1, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter of enforcement discretion stating that it does not intend to object to the use of qualified health claims relating to the yogurt consumption and the reduction of type 2 diabetes risk.
In order to be marketed on the French market, a food supplement must be subject to a prior declaration to the competent authority in accordance with Decree No. 2006-352 on food supplements. Since February 3, 2023, food supplements have been declared to the Directorate General for Food using the online declaration platform téléicare.
The ashwaghanda is a plant extract you can find in the ingredient lists of food supplements, but do you know what is it exactly? This article makes a statement of what the science says established concerning this extract: its definition and health effects on human.
The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) recently released an updated guideline document, aimed at helping gastroenterologists and other physicians understand the appropriate clinical applications of probiotics or prebiotics. The guideline was created with input from experts in gastroenterology, probiotics and prebiotics, with efforts co-led by experts from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). To create these guidelines, experts comprehensively evaluated the evidence from randomized, controlled trials for gastrointestinal conditions, including which specific prebiotic strain or substance showed a positive effect. The guidelines present a list of conditions for which there is positive evidence for the effectiveness of probiotics and/or prebiotics.
On June 22, 2023, the European Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion recognizing the contribution of choline to the normal hepatic function of the fetus and exclusively breastfed infants. She recognized the scientific basis of this effect on health following the request for a health claim on this subject.
On 1 August 2023, the EU Commission published implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1581 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 as regards the conditions of use of the novel food ‘astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae’. The new Regulation extends the conditions of use in food supplements for children aged 3 to less than 10 years and for adolescents aged 10 to less than 14 years of age (1).
Since the beginning of 2023, it is possible to use the word probiotic on food supplements in France. Here follows a comparison with the situation in Italy and in Spain.
The bill, which contains provisions banning the production and marketing of animal cell-based cultured food and feed, was proposed by the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry and the Minister of Health, and approved by the Council of Ministers.
The right to use Nutri-Score is optional and free. It was implemented for the first time in France in 2017, based on the work of the team of Pr. Serge Hercberg as well as the expertise of the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) and the High Council of Public Health (HCSP). Since its launch in France, several countries have decided to recommend its use: Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The logo is awarded on the basis of a score taking into account, for 100 g or 100 mL of product, the content: of nutrients and foods to promote (fibers, proteins, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, rapeseed oil , nuts and olives) and nutrients to limit (energy, saturated fatty acids, sugars, salt). The Nutri-Score of drinks has been modified.
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