ID 193 - Kwas foliowy

PL: Kwas foliowy
EN: Folate
Pdf: folate

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is folate. Folate is measurable in foods by established methods.
Folate is the generic name for a number of compounds having a similar activity as folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid, PGA). Folic acid (PGA) is a synthetic folate compound used in food supplements and in food fortification because of its stability, and becomes biologically active after reduction. Natural (dietary) folates are mostly reduced folates, i.e. derivatives of tetrahydrofolate (THF) (SCF, 2000).
Different forms of folate are authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to folate naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, folate, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.6. Podziały komórek (ID 193)

The claimed effect is “cell division”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel notes that cell division is a crucial process for tissue growth and development and for tissue maintenance through cell turnover.
The Panel considers that normal cell division is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

Folates play an important role in the transfer of C1-groups (i.e. methyl-, methylene- and formyl- groups), maintaining the methylation balance (SCF, 2000). Folate coenzymes are involved in numerous reactions that involve DNA synthesis, purine synthesis, generation of formate into the formate pool and amino acid interconversion (IoM, 1998).

3.6. Podziały komórek (ID 193)

During the S-phase of the cell division cycle the DNA of the cell is replicated. This DNA synthesis is dependent on the presence of 5,10-methlyene-tetrahydrofolate, a co-factor of the thymidylate synthase, which converts deoxyuridine monophosphate to deoxythymidine monophosphate (Chitambar and Anthony, 2006). An additional function of folate in the nucleotide production involves the de novo synthesis of adenine and guanine (Bailey and Gregory, 2006).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the intake of folate and normal cell division.

4.4. Podziały komórek (ID 193)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Folate contributes to normal cell division.”

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of folate as per Annex to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population for the following claimed effects: blood formation (ID 79), homocysteine metabolism (ID 80), function of the immune system (ID 91), and cell division (ID 193). The target population is women planning to become pregnant and pregnant women for the following claimed effect: maternal tissue growth during pregnancy (ID 2882). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for folic acid for children and adults. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for adults has been set at 1000 µg/d (SCF, 2000).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Does claim rely on the presence/presence in a reduced quantity/absence of a nutrient or other substance: Presence of a nutrient or other substance Number of nutrients/other substances that are essential to claimed effect: 1 Names of nutrient/other substances and Quantity in Average daily serving: 30 micrograms folic acid Daily amount to be consumed to produce claimed effect: 30 microgram(s) Are there factors that could interfere with bioavailability: Don't Know Length of time after consumption for claimed effect to become apparent: Regular consumption Is there a limit to the amount of food which should be consumed in order to avoid adverse health effects: Don't Know