A health claim is any claim that states, suggests or implies that a relationship exists between a food category, a food or one of its ingredients and health.
The word "indication" within the meaning of Regulation No 1924/2006 means any message or representation which is not required by Community or national law, including an illustrated, graphic or symbolic representation of any kind, which expresses, implies or implies that: the food has special properties.
As of 1 April 2012, the FVS performs the functions of the competent authority of a Member State specified in Regulation No. 1924/2006:
- examine applications from economic operators for health claims referred to in Article 13 (5) and Article 14 and forward valid applications to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),
- advises interested parties on the use of health claims,
- participates in working groups on nutrition and health claims organized by the European Commission.