Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
Tussilago farfara L. and function of the upper respiratory tract and
immune health (ID 2497) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No
1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the claim is Tussilago farfara L.. The characterisation of Tussilago farfara L. is performed by comparing data provided as conditions of use to information extracted from standard reference textbooks (see Table 2 below and Appendix C for list of standard reference textbooks used for the characterisation).
Table 2. Information on Tussilago farfara L. from standard reference textbooks and the information provided as conditions of use.
ID Scientific
name Part used
Nature of the
preparation Conditions of use
Text-
book
Tussilago
farfara L. =
T. vulgaris
Lamarck
Asteraceae
Flower;
leaf
Powder; extract
(nebulisate);
infusion; juice
(fresh leaf)
Flower:
Infusion: 2g/150mL, 3 times/day.
Leaf:
Powder: 4.5-6g/day.
Tincture: 1:5, 45% ethanol, up to 8mL, 3
times/day.
Fluid extract: 1:1, 20% ethanol, 2mL,
3times/day.
Note: the herb contains toxic unsaturated
pyrrolizidine alkaloids, e.g. senkirkine and
senecionine.
2497 Tussilago
farfara L.
(Coltsfoot)
Leaf Not specified
Note: it is
assumed to be
the dried leaf
Leaf: 6-24mg / Used as part of a
multibotanical combination.
Note: The daily amount is not specified
The nature of the preparation is not specified, but it is assumed to be dried leaf. The daily amount is not specified. The Panel notes that the consolidated list contains insufficient information to allow a characterisation of Tussilago farfara L.
The Panel notes that there is no information on the other components of the multibotanical combination.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, Tussilago farfara L., which is the subject of the claim, has not been sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Funkcjonowanie górnych dróg oddechowych
The claimed effect is “health of the upper respiratory tract / immune health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal function of the upper respiratory tract is beneficial to human health.
2.2. Odporność organizmu
The claimed effect is “health of the upper respiratory tract / immune health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
“Immune health” is not sufficiently defined and no more details were provided in the proposed wording.
The Panel considers that “immune health” is not sufficiently defined.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka -
3.1. Funkcjonowanie górnych dróg oddechowych
Two reference were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. These references were in Russian and an English translation was not available to the Panel.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Tussilago farfara L. and normal function upper respiratory tract.
3.2. Odporność organizmu
Two reference were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. These references were in Russian and an English translation was not available to the Panel.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Tussilago farfara L. and “immune health”.
