Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to pectins and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (ID 786), maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (ID 818) and increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake (ID 4692) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to pectins and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses, maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations and increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is pectins. The Panel considers that pectins are sufficiently characterised. Reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses The claimed effect is "reduces the postprandial levels of glucose". The target population is assumed to be individuals willing to reduce their post-prandial glycaemic responses. The Panel considers that reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (as long as post-prandial insulinaemic responses are not disproportionally increased) may be a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account the consistency of a post-prandial blood glucose-lowering effect of pectins consumed in foods or meals across the studies considered, and that the mechanism by which pectins could exert the claimed effect is well known. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of pectins and a reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses. The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claim, foods should provide at least 10 g of pectins per meal. The target population is adults willing to reduce their post-prandial glycaemic responses. Maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations The claimed effect is "cholesterol maintenance". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account the consistency of the total and LDL-cholesterol lowering effect of pectins across the studies considered, and that the mechanism by which pectins could exert the claimed effect is well known. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of pectins and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claim, foods should provide at least 6 g per day of pectins in one or more servings. The target population is adults. Increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake The claimed effect is "satiety". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that an increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake, if sustained, might be a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of pectins and a sustained increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake.