ID 222 -
Bor
PL: Bor
EN: Boron
Pdf: boron
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is boron.
It has not been established that boron is an essential nutrient for humans. Boron occurs in foods as borate and boric acid, and can be measured by established methods. Daily intakes of boron from food and water vary from 1 to 7 mg/day, depending on geographical region and dietary patterns (Richold, 1998). Main dietary sources are plant foods. Fruits, legumes, leafy vegetables, nuts, wine, cider and beer are particularly rich sources (Naghii et al., 1996). Drinking water typically contains <1 mg boron/L, albeit the range is large. The mean intake from water ranges from 0.2-0.6 mg/day (EFSA, 2004).
Boron is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to boron naturally present in foods and added to foods.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, boron, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
2.2. Utrzymanie prawidłowego funkcjonowania tarczycy (ID 222)
The claimed effect is “thyroid health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of normal thyroid function.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal thyroid function is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego funkcjonowania tarczycy (ID 222)
Among the references provided to substantiate the claim were two narrative reviews that discussed possible biological functions of boron but did not provide original data for the scientific substantiation of the claim. One reference was in Russian and a translation in an EU language was not available to the Panel. One animal study did not address endpoints related to normal thyroid function. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
One animal study addressed the effects of boron supplementation on thyroid hormone concentrations in pigs. The Panel considers that human studies are required for the substantiation of a claim, and that evidence provided in animal studies alone is not sufficient to predict the occurrence of an effect of boron consumption on the maintenance of normal thyroid function in humans.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of boron and maintenance of normal thyroid function.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
0.8 – 1,5 mg of boric acid
Must meet minimum requirements for use of the claim "source of [name of vitamin/s] and/or [name of mineral/s] " as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006.
