ID 230 - 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.

2.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 224, 230, 231, 354, 3099)

The claimed effects are “bone health”, “bone strength (includes bone structure, bone mineralisation, bone density)”, “structure of teeth”, “bones and teeth” and “dental health”. 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 the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.
The Panel considers that the maintenance of normal bones and teeth is beneficial to human health.

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.

2.3. Krzepnięcie krwi (ID 230, 236)

The claimed effect is “needed for normal blood coagulation (blood clotting)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal blood coagulation is 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).

3.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 224, 230, 231, 354, 3099)

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the roles of calcium in the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.
Calcium is an important structural component of bone and teeth. Adequate calcium intake throughout childhood and adolescence is needed to achieve maximum peak bone mass in young adulthood which is an important determinant of bone mineral status in later life. The growth, development and maintenance of bone and teeth is related to the quantity of dietary calcium consumed and recommended intakes of calcium to meet requirements for growth, development and maintenance of bone at all ages have been established by various authorities. Inadequate dietary calcium intake may contribute to impaired bone development in early life and to the accelerated loss of bone mass in adults and in older people. Available evidence indicates that calcium intakes may be inadequate in sub-groups of the population in some EU countries, especially children, women and older people (AAP, 1999; AFSSA, 2001; Branca, 1997; COMA, 1991; DGE, 2000; Elmadfa and Weichselbaum, 2004; FAO/WHO, 2001; FNB, 1999; Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 1999; Greer, 2006; JHCI, 2003; IoM, 1997, National Health and Medical Research Council, 2006; Nordic Council of Ministers, 2004; SCF, 2003; Theobald, 2005; WHO, 2003).
The Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of calcium and the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.

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.

3.3. Krzepnięcie krwi (ID 230, 236)

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the role of calcium in normal blood coagulation.
Calcium is necessary to stabilise or allow maximal activity for a number of blood clotting enzymes. However, the normal activity of these enzymes is not significantly affected by changes in extracellular calcium concentrations or by dietary calcium deficiency, and is practically independent of dietary calcium intake (Weaver and Heaney, 2006).
The Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship has been established between calcium and normal blood coagulation. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of calcium leading to impaired blood coagulation occurs in the general EU population.

4.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 224, 230, 231, 354, 3099)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth”.

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”

4.3. Krzepnięcie krwi (ID 230, 236)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Calcium contributes to normal blood clotting”

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

Product must contain at least 15% RDA. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing 1500 mg of calcium should carry the label advisory statement Supplements containing "this amount of calcium may cause mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals