Leading European trade groups are stepping up the pressure on the European Commission to formally recognize the probiotics category.
In a joint statement issued last week at an event held at the European Parliament, three trade bodies – IPA Europe, EHPM and eda – called for the “recognition of the probiotic category and for a harmonised European approach that will allow for correct information on the presence of probiotics in food and food supplements to be provided”.
In the statement, the groups warned that consumers are becoming increasingly confused about the category and turning to the internet and other uncontrolled sources for information.
The probiotic industry wants the Commission to allow it to use a “generic, traditional denomination that meaningfully expresses the nature of these foodstuffs, and is recognised around the world.”
The groups point out that in 2006 the EU Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (NHCR) was welcomed by the probiotic industry and other stakeholders. But, they say, “more than 10 years after the entry into force of NHCR, over 300 individual probiotic health claim submissions have been rejected or withdrawn and no sensible or workable EU framework exists for the use of the term probiotic on labelling and commercial communications.”
The statement also warns that probiotic labelling is increasingly finding its way on to non-food products. The groups warn that brands use messages about the positive effects of probiotics on the gut to convey efficacy of non-food products, creating further confusion for consumers.
The statement continues: “The industry continues to support the NHCR in its objectives of achieving harmonisation, clarity and consumer protection, but in our view recognising the probiotic category and ensuring consumer protection are not mutually exclusive goals, they are perfectly compatible. This requires acceptance of the distinction between what probiotics ‘are’ – the category –, how probiotics function, and what are the specific health claims that may be associated with different probiotics functions.”