ID 255 - 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 II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC7). 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 255)

The claimed effect is “vitamin/mineral supplementation to reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micronutrient status”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect is related to oxygen transport.
A claim on iron and normal oxygen transport has already been assessed with a favourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2009).

2.3. Udział w prawidłowym pozyskiwaniu energii w procesach metabolicznych (ID 255)

The claimed effect is “vitamin/mineral supplementation to reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micronutrient status”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect is related to energy-yielding metabolism.
A claim on iron and normal energy-yielding metabolism has already been assessed with a favourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2009).

2.4. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 255, 374, 2889)

The claimed effects are “vitamin/mineral supplementation to reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micronutrient status” and “fights against anaemia/ tiredness”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that the reduction of tiredness and fatigue is a beneficial physiological effect.

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).

3.1. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 255, 374, 2889)

Insufficient intake of iron results in the deficiency condition anaemia. Most patients with significant anaemia are fatigued and tire easily after exertion (Chitambar and Antony, 2006).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of iron and reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

4.1. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 255, 374, 2889)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Iron can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue”.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a 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 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. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >20 mg of Iron should carry the label adviso