Summary

In December 2006, the Council and the European Parliament adopted Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods (published in Official Journal L 12 of January 18, 2007). This regulation goes into effect as of July 1, 2007 and sets EU-wide conditions for the use of nutrition claims such as "low fat" and health claims such as "helps lower cholesterol." The claims a food product can or cannot make will be based on nutrient profiles, i.e. appropriate ratios of salt, fat and sugar. These profiles will be developed within two years of the regulation entering into force, based on an opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The regulation is considered an important tool in the EU’s strategy to fight obesity.