ID 1827 -
Likopen
PL: Likopen
EN: Lycopene
Pdf: lycopene
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is lycopene (psi, psi-carotene).
Lycopene is a well recognised dietary constituent and is measurable in foods, blood and tissues by established methods. Major dietary sources of lycopene are tomatoes and tomato products. Lycopene is also the natural red colorant of water melons, pink grapefruit and rose hips. Dietary sources of lycopene, or lycopene preparations from natural sources, usually contain other food constituents (e.g. other carotenoids and/or polyphenols) which may contribute to the claimed effects. Synthetic lycopene has recently been authorised in the EU as a novel food ingredient6. The present opinion applies to lycopene from all sources with appropriate bioavailability in the specified amounts.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, lycopene, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
2.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego wzroku (ID 1827)
The claimed effect is “eyes”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording and from the information provided, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of normal vision.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal vision is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego wzroku (ID 1827)
Three references have been provided in relation to the claimed effect.
One reference (Cardinault et al., 2005) reported on the determination of carotenoids, including lycopene, in serum and lipoprotein fractions in 34 subjects diagnosed for age-related macular degeneration, compared to 21 control subjects. Another reference (Simonelli et al., 2002) reported on the measurement of carotenoids (including serum lycopene) in 48 patients with age-related maculopathy, compared to 46 controls. The Panel considers that the nature of the relationship between dietary lycopene and blood concentrations of lycopene has not been established in these studies, and notes that there was no measurement of dietary lycopene.
The Panel notes that no human studies have been provided from which conclusions can be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The remaining reference (Nilsson et al., 2003) was an in vitro study undertaken in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells. The Panel considers that evidence provided in in vitro studies alone is not sufficient to predict the occurrence of an effect of lycopene consumption on maintenance of normal vision in humans.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of lycopene and maintenance of normal vision.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
Food supplement with 2.5mg of lycopene in the daily dose.
