News
DHA’s beneficial effects to the development of the eyes and brain of the foetus and infants are now official
26.05.2011
The European Union (EU) recently authorised health claims referring to children’s development and health for products containing the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
An increasing number of foods sold in the EU bear nutrition and health claims. In December 2006 the EU adopted a regulation where one of the key objectives is to ensure that any claim made on a food label in the EU is clear and substantiated by scientific evidence. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for verifying the scientific substantiation of submitted claims.
This authorisation is yet another confirmation that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is an essential element of nutrition for all of us, and is crucial when it comes to children's health and child development.
As of May 26, the following three claims can be made on foods on the EU market:
1. DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breast-fed
infants.
2. DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breast-fed infants.
3. DHA intake contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age.
Information shall be given for each claim. For the first two it should be addressed to pregnant and lactating women that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, i.e. 250 mg DHA and EPA.
For the third claim information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100 mg of DHA.
LYSI is developing a new product made of DHA concentrate. Each capsule contains 450 mg of DHA. This product is therefore an ideal dietary supplement for pregnant and lactating women in addition to recommended daily intake of DHA and EPA.