Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to linoleic
acid and “molecule precursors regulating cell functions (prostaglandins,
leucotrienes)” (ID 488, 4670), maintenance of normal blood
LDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 2899) and protection of the skin from
UV-induced damage (ID 3659) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation
(EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2, 3
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
LDL-cholesterol
Linoleic acid
UV-induced damage
health claims
leucotrienes
prostaglandins
skin
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is linoleic acid (LA).
LA is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms and two double bonds, and is present in various vegetable oils and legumes. In humans, LA is elongated and desaturated to arachidonic acid which is further metabolised into eicosanoids of the 2-series. LA can be measured in foods by established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, linoleic acid, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Prekursor cząsteczek regulujących funkcjonowanie komórek (prostaglandyn, leukotrienów) (ID 488, 4670)
The claimed effect is “molecule precursors regulating cell functions (prostaglandins, leucotrienes)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel notes that the proposed wordings and the clarifications provided by Member States for ID 488 mention immune system/immune responses and inflammation, but that the specific aspect of immune function that is the subject of the claim has not been indicated.
The claimed effect is not sufficiently defined, and the wordings, references and clarifications provided by Member States do not give any further information which could be used to define the claimed effect.
The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
2.2. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu LDL we krwi (ID 2899)
The claimed effect is “artery/heart health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
From the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations.
A claim on linoleic acid and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations has already been assessed with a favourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2009).
2.3. Ochrona skóry przed uszkodzeniami wywołanymi promieniami ultrafioletowymi (UV) (ID 3659)
The claimed effect is “correlation analyses on pooled data suggested that there may be less actinic skin damage with a higher intake of olive oil, a high intake of olive oil appeared to be protective against cutaneous actinic damage”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
From the reference provided, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to protection of the skin from UV-induced damage.
The Panel considers that protection of the skin from UV-induced damage is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka -
3.1. Ochrona skóry przed uszkodzeniami wywołanymi promieniami ultrafioletowymi (UV) (ID 3659)
The only reference provided for the scientific substantiation of the claim was an observational study on the association between food and nutrient intakes of elderly people and skin wrinkling in a sun- exposed site (the back of the hand) which did not report on LA intake specifically. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this reference for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of linoleic acid and protection of the skin from UV-induced damage.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, linoleic acid, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
“Molecule precursors regulating cell functions (prostaglandins, leucotrienes)” (ID 488, 4670)
The claimed effect is “molecule precursors regulating cell functions (prostaglandins, leucotrienes)”. The target population is assumed to be the general population.
The claimed effect is general and non specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 2899)
The claimed effect is “artery/heart health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population.
A claim on linoleic acid and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations has already been assessed with a favourable outcome.
Protection of the skin from UV-induced damage (ID 3659)
The claimed effect is “correlation analyses on pooled data suggested that there may be less actinic skin damage with a higher intake of olive oil, a high intake of olive oil appeared to be protective against cutaneous actinic damage”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Protection of the skin from UV-induced damage is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of linoleic acid and protection of the skin from UV-induced damage.
