Chapter 2: Impact of Health Claims Regulations on the Food Industry and Future Innovation Potential

In force since July 2007, the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (NHCR, EC No 1924/2006) ensures a compromise between consumers protection and economic competitiveness in the food sector. Many food companies develop innovative products in response to increased consumer demand for nutrition that is more conscientious of health. Thus, the use of claims, which assert that a food has particular nutritional properties or a relationship with health, supports better understanding by consumers, enables them to make more appropriate choices, and allows food business operators to propose more attractive products for the market. However, in order to protect consumers against misleading communications, assure fair competition and promote innovation, the NHCR lays down conditions for the authorisation of claims, which includes justification through generally accepted scientific evidence.