ID 368 - 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.

2.6. Podziały komórek (ID 368)

The claimed effect is “cell division”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel notes that cell division is a crucial process for tissue growth and development and for tissue maintenance through cell turnover.
The Panel considers that normal cell division 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).

3.6. Podziały komórek (ID 368)

No references have been provided to substantiate the claimed effect.
As all essential nutrients, iron is needed for cell division. Iron's role in this process is connected to its function in oxygen transport and energy-yielding metabolism, and more specific through the control of the activities of iron containing enzymes involved either in DNA synthesis (ribonucleotide reductase) or in the phase progression during the cell cycle (cyclin-dependent kinase complexes 4 and 6) (Bohnsack and Hirschi, 2004).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of iron and normal cell division.

4.6. Podziały komórek (ID 368)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Iron contributes to normal cell division.”

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

See above