A disease risk reduction claim relating to plant stanol esters (the unique cholesterol lowering ingredient in the Benecol range of foods) is among the first disease risk reduction claims to be authorised by the European Commission.
The announcement is a landmark in food regulation and marks the first time a disease risk reduction claim has been authorised for foods. The disease risk reduction claims will help inform consumers in identifying foods that will be beneficial to them, and enables certain brands to make a disease risk reduction claim on their foods.
Esther van Onselen, marketing manager for Benecol, said: “Approval of the disease risk reduction claim is a really exciting step in helping consumers make an informed choice about which foods are proven to have a positive impact on their health. Today’s announcement from the European Commission validates the already well-established role that plant stanol esters can play in cholesterol reduction.
“Not only does the authorisation confirm that plant stanol esters ‘have been shown to lower blood cholesterol’, it also acknowledges that ‘high cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of Coronary Heart Disease’.”
High cholesterol is one of the main causes of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). CHD is the most common cause of death in the UK, causing around 94,000 deaths a year.
Source: Benecol
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