ID 1361 - Lucerna siewna

PL: Lucerna siewna
EN: Alfafa
Pdf:

1.11. Alfalfa (ID 1361, 2585, 2722, 2793)

The food that is the subject of the claims is alfalfa related to the following claimed effects: “good for your heart”, “help to maintain cholesterol levels”, “cardiovascular system”, “hair and nails health”, and “hypocholestérolémiant”.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a flowering plant in the pea family (Fabaceae) which is widely grown throughout the world as forage for cattle. The nutritional composition of alfalfa varies depending on the variety, cultivar, climate and harvesting time.
The information provided in relation to these claims, including the conditions of use, does not specify which part or component of the plant should be consumed in order to obtain the claimed effect. Most of the references provided reported on in vitro studies which investigated the oestrogenic activity of alfalfa sprouts, the antioxidant activity of alfalfa phytoestrogens, and the effects of aqueous extracts of alfalfa on platelet aggregation, and on animal studies which addressed the effects of alfalfa meals (not defined further), alfalfa saponins, and alfalfa seeds on blood lipids and models of atherosclerosis and partial ileal bypass. Also a one arm, uncontrolled human intervention study on the effects of alfalfa seeds on blood cholesterol concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia was provided (Molgaard et al., 1987). The Panel notes that different parts and constituents of the plant have been tested with respect to their effects on blood cholesterol concentrations, and considers that from the information provided it is not clear for which part or constituent of the plant the claims are made.
The Panel considers that the food, alfalfa, which is the subject of the claims, is not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects considered in this section.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of alfalfa and the claimed effects considered in this section.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Does claim rely on the presence/presence in a reduced quantity/absence of a nutrient or other substance: NA Weight of average daily food serving: 20 gram(s) Daily amount to be consumed to produce claimed effect: 20 gram(s) Number of food portions this equates to in everyday food portions: 1 Are there factors that could interfere with bioavailability: No Length of time after consumption for claimed effect to become apparent: It is apparent after a period of regular use. Number of days: 30 Is there a limit to the amount of food which should be consumed in order to avoid adverse health effects: No Where applicable outline nutritional composition (g per 100g) of food: Total Fat: .70 Saturated Fat: .00 Trans Fat: .00 Sugar: .30 Salt: .00 Sodium: .01