ID 252 - Żelazo

PL: Żelazo
EN: Iron
Pdf: various food(s)/food constituent(s) that are referring to children’s development

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is iron which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods.
Iron occurs naturally in foodstuffs in different oxidation states. The primarily occurring oxidation states in biological systems are +2 (ferrous state) and +3 (ferric state).
Iron occurs naturally in foods in two forms, haem iron which is primarily derived from haemoglobin and myoglobin in meat and non-haem iron from plants in the form of iron complexes (IoM, 2001). Different forms of iron are authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to iron 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, iron, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.4. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 252, ID 259)

The claimed effect is “normal functioning of the immune system”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal function of the immune system is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

Iron is an essential trace element that has important metabolic functions, including oxygen transport and is involved in many redox reactions. Insufficient intake results in the deficiency condition anaemia, adverse outcomes of pregnancy, impaired psychomotor development and cognitive performance and reduced immune function (EFSA, 2004).

3.4. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 252, ID 259)

It has been demonstrated, mainly with the use of in vitro tests and animal models, that iron deficiency is associated with changes in the cell-mediated immune response. Amongst other effects, the following effects of iron deficiency in the immune system have been described: impaired neutrophil function, reduction of numbers of T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells, defective T-lymphocyte- induced proliferative response, reduction of secretory IgA, reduction of levels of complement C3 and C4, and inhibition of the activity of IFN-γ (Biesalski et al., 1995; FAO/WHO, 2004; IoM, 2001; Oppenheimer, 2001; Hunt, 2005; Weiss, 2002). Data confirming these effects of iron on immune parameters in humans are scarce. In a review by Munoz et al. (2007), a decrease in the numbers of naïve T-helper and T-cytotoxic cells in blood from iron deficient subjects was reported, suggesting that iron is required for the regeneration of new CD4+ T lymphocytes and maintenance of T cell cytolytic processes. It is also reported that serum IL-2 and IL-6 were reduced in iron-deficient children, suggesting that iron alters the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In a study conducted in iron-deficient women, secretion and mRNA levels of TNF-α, but not its membrane expression, was significantly lower in iron deficient subjects (Munoz et al., 2007).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of iron and a normal function of the immune system.

4.4. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 252, 259)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Iron contributes to a normal function of the immune system.”

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

In order to bear the claims a food should be at least source of iron as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population. No Upper Tolerable Intake Levels (UL) have been set for iron (EFSA, 2004).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

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