ID 291 - Cynk

PL: Cynk
EN: Zink
Pdf: zinc

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the claims is zinc, which is a well recognized nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Zinc occurs naturally in foods and is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to zinc 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, zinc, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 291, 1757)

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

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

Zinc is present in all tissues. It has essential structural, regulatory or catalytic roles in many enzymes. It maintains the configuration of a number of non-enzymatic proteins such as pre-secretory granules of insulin, some mammalian gene transcription proteins and thymulin. It facilitates hormone and receptor binding at membrane and nuclear levels, and it may maintain integrity of biomembranes. Consequently zinc participates in gene expression and in the mechanisms and control of major metabolic pathways involving proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids (SCF, 1993; DoH, 1991). Human zinc deficiency symptoms include retarded growth, depressed immune function, skin lesions, skeletal abnormalities, impaired reproductive ability and behavioural abnormalities such as changes in mood, loss of affect and emotional lability, anorexia, dysfunction of smell and taste, irritability and depression (SCF, 2003; EVM, 2002, Cousins, 2006).

3.1. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 291, 1757)

Zinc deficiency is associated with a decline in most aspects of immune function. Lymphopaenia and thymic atrophy are observed. Cell mediated and antibody mediated responses are reduced. In addition to the generalized effects of zinc on DNA synthesis, zinc deficiency appears to induce apoptosis, resulting in a loss of B-cell and T-cell precursors within the bone marrow. Thymulin is a zinc-dependent enzyme that stimulates the development of T cells within the thymus. The production of cytokines by mononuclear cells is also reduced by zinc deficiency. Adequate zinc status is necessary for natural killers cell function. Zinc deficiency renders people more susceptible to infections, while zinc supplementation in humans has shown benefit in immune responses to bacterial and viral infections (Freake, 2006; King and Cousins, 2006; IoM, 2001). Infants with acrodermatitis enteropathica, a rare inborn error with a reduced ability to absorb dietary zinc, highlight the immune functions which are dependent on zinc. These patients show impaired lymphocyte proliferation and response to mitogens, decreased/inverted CD4/CD8 ratios, impaired NK activity and cytotoxicity.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of zinc and the normal function of the immune system. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of zinc leading to impaired function of the immune system occurs in the general EU population.

4.1. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 291, 1757)

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

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 zinc as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The target population is the general population. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for zinc as 25 mg/day in adults and to pregnant and lactating woman. For children and adolescents UL was established as 7 mg/day for 1-3 years, 10 mg/day for 4-6 years, 13 mg/day for 7-10 years, 18 mg/day for 11-14 years and 22 mg/day for 15-17 years (SCF 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

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