Following an application from Zespri International Limited (the applicant), submitted in accordance with Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the Authority was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim relating to green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) and the maintenance of normal bowel movements (Question No. EFSA-Q-2020-000562).
The claim initially proposed by the applicant was worded as follows: “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to gastrointestinal comfort” or “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit reduces gastrointestinal disturbances.”
Given the proposed causal link with health, and in agreement with the applicant, the Authority amended the wording of the claim assessed as follows: “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit maintains normal bowel movements.”
On 11 June 2021, the Authority published its scientific opinion on this claim (3), concluding that, based on the data presented, a cause-and-effect relationship had been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) and the maintenance of normal bowel movements. The target population is the general population. Therefore, a health claim reflecting this conclusion should be considered compliant with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and included in the Union list of permitted health claims established by Regulation (EU) No 432/2012.
Following the applicant’s request to the Commission for a more consumer-friendly formulation, the Authority confirmed that the formulation “Consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to normal bowel function by increasing the frequency of bowel movements” reflected the scientific evidence.
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Green kiwi is the first fruit with a health claim granted by the EFSA
Following an application from Zespri International Limited (the applicant), submitted in accordance with Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the Authority was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim relating to green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) and the maintenance of normal bowel movements (Question No. EFSA-Q-2020-000562).
The claim initially proposed by the applicant was worded as follows: “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to gastrointestinal comfort” or “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit reduces gastrointestinal disturbances.”
Given the proposed causal link with health, and in agreement with the applicant, the Authority amended the wording of the claim assessed as follows: “Regular consumption of green kiwifruit maintains normal bowel movements.”
On 11 June 2021, the Authority published its scientific opinion on this claim (3), concluding that, based on the data presented, a cause-and-effect relationship had been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) and the maintenance of normal bowel movements. The target population is the general population. Therefore, a health claim reflecting this conclusion should be considered compliant with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and included in the Union list of permitted health claims established by Regulation (EU) No 432/2012.
Following the applicant’s request to the Commission for a more consumer-friendly formulation, the Authority confirmed that the formulation “Consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to normal bowel function by increasing the frequency of bowel movements” reflected the scientific evidence.
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