ID 81 - Kwas foliowy

PL: Kwas foliowy
EN: Folate
Pdf: folate

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is folate. Folate is measurable in foods by established methods.
Folate is the generic name for a number of derivatives of pteroylglutamic acid (PGA, folic acid). Folic acid is a synthetic folate compound used in food supplements and in food fortification because of its stability, and which becomes biologically active after reduction. Natural (dietary) folates are mostly reduced folates, i.e. derivatives of tetrahydrofolate (SCF, 2000).
Different forms of folate are authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to folate 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, folate, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 81, 85, 86, 88)

The claimed effects are “mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning, as well as resistance to stress)”, “the role of vitamins and minerals in mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning)”, “cognitive function” and “cognitive health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that contribution to normal psychological functions, which encompass cognitive and affective domains, is a beneficial physiological effect.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

Folates play an important role in the transfer of C1-groups (i.e. methyl-, methylene- and formyl- groups), maintaining the methylation balance (SCF, 2000). Folate coenzymes are involved in numerous reactions that involve DNA synthesis, purine synthesis, generation of formate into the formate pool and amino acid interconversion (IoM, 1998).

3.1. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 81, 85, 86, 88)

Severe folate deficiency in humans is characterised by macrocytic anaemia which produces symptoms of weakness, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, headache, palpitations and shortness of breath (IoM, 1998).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of folate and contribution to normal psychological functions.

4.1. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 81, 85, 86, 88)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Folate contributes to normal psychological functions”.

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 folate 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. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) have been established for folic acid for children and adults (SCF, 2000).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

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