ID 227 - Wapń

PL: Wapń
EN: Calcium
Pdf: calcium

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is calcium, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Calcium occurs naturally in foods in many forms which are generally well utilised by the body. Different forms of calcium are authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to calcium naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, calcium, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.2. Funkcje mięśni i przewodnictwo nerwowe (ID 226, 227, 230, 235)

The claimed effects are “muscle function”, “nerve transmission/function”, “nerves and muscle”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effects relate to normal muscle function and neurotransmission.
The Panel considers that normal muscle function and neurotransmission are beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

More than 99% of the total calcium in the body is located in bones and teeth and contributes to their mass, structure and strength. Besides this structural role, calcium acts as an intracellular messenger and as a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and proteins (IoM, 1997).

3.2. Funkcje mięśni i przewodnictwo nerwowe (ID 226, 227, 230, 235)

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the role of calcium in muscle function and neurotransmission (IoM, 1997; JHCI, 2003).
Normal muscle function (including the heart) and neurotransmission require adequate calcium concentrations within the cells and in the extracellular fluid (ECF). Serum calcium, which is in exchange with ECF and intracellular calcium, is tightly regulated by homeostatic mechanisms and largely independent of dietary intake. In the absence of disease, serum, ECF and intracellular calcium concentrations are virtually never low because of dietary calcium deficiency. This is because the very large calcium reserve in the skeleton prevents significant decreases of calcium in serum, ECF and intracellularly practically without limit (Weaver and Heaney, 2006).
The Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship has been established between calcium and normal muscle function and neurotransmission. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of calcium leading to impaired muscle function and neurotransmission occurs in the general EU population.

4.2. Funkcje mięśni i przewodnictwo nerwowe (ID 226, 227, 230, 235)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Calcium contributes to normal muscle function and neurotransmission”

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of calcium as per Annex to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced
diet. No Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for calcium in children and adolescents; the UL for calcium in adults is 2500 mg/day (SCF, 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must at least be a source of mineral/s as per annex to regulation 1924/2006