Callebaut flavanols claim extension supported by EFSA

Barry Callebaut has received a positive Scientific Opinion issued by the European Food Safety Author…

Barry Callebaut has received a positive Scientific Opinion issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the background data to extend the company’s existing health claim to cocoa extract products. This positive evaluation bodes very well for Barry Callebaut, the company said, as EFSA’s expertise is usually the basis for approval by the EU Commission.

In September 2013, the EU Commission granted Barry Callebaut the right to use within the EU market the health claim that “cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow”. This claim was to be used for cocoa beverages (with cocoa powder) and dark chocolate products providing a daily intake of 200 mg of cocoa flavanols.

Barry Callebaut has now applied to the EFSA to extend this claim to cocoa extract products, that is to say products more concentrated in flavanols, such as supplements. If the application is granted, Barry Callebaut will have the proprietary right to use this extended health claim within EU countries for five years, effective from the day of EU approval.

The content of the health claim remains unchanged, the company said, but its field of application would be extended to other formats, including non-chocolate products. The application of the health claim on cocoa extract products opens new opportunities, for example in the pharmacy, nutraceutical and supplement industries. The cardiovascular properties of flavanols could, for instance, be offered in the form of pills and distributed in pharmacies, according to Barry Callebaut.