ID 254 - 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.

2.2. Transport tlenu (ID 250, ID 254, ID 256)

The claimed effect is “oxygen transport”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal oxygen transport 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).

3.2. Transport tlenu (ID 250, ID 254, ID 256)

In humans, iron is mainly found in porphyrins. In haemproteins (haemoglobin and myoglobin) iron is found in its ferrous state (Fe2+) which allows it to bind oxygen reversibly. Haemoglobin transports oxygen in the erythrocytes to the tissues (Hunt, 2005).
It is well established that inadequate dietary iron intake in humans leads to hypochromic and microcytic anemia.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of iron and normal oxygen transport to tissues.

4.2. Transport tlenu (ID 250, 254, 256)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.”

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

Source of / 15% of RDA per 100 g Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >20mg iron should carry the label advisory statement "this amount of iron may cause mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals"