Foods and dietary supplements with health claims

More and more of the foods and dietary supplements appearing in our shops come with statements - claims - that give the impression that the products are “healthy”, or “healthier”. This impression is not always correct. The present rules for health claims leave room for confusion. The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends to prohibit vague claims. This is one of the recommendations in an advisory report that the Council has today presented to the Minister of Health, Welfare & Sport and the Minister of Agriculture, Nature Management & Fisheries.

Committee

• Professor EJ Kuipers, gastroenterologist, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Chairman
• Professor RJ Brummer, gastroenterologist, University Medical Centre, Maastricht
• Professor CAFM Bruijnzeel-Koomen, dermatologist, allergologist, University Medical Centre, Utrecht
• Professor HK Henderickx, nutritionist, Belgian Health Council, Brussels, Belgium
• Dr RMC Herings, pharmaco-epidemiologist, Pharmo Institute, Utrecht
• Professor AW Hoes, clinical epidemiologist, University Medical Centre, Utrecht
• Professor MB Katan, biochemist, nutritionist, Wageningen University; Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences
• Dr MA Koelen, communications expert, Wageningen University
• Dr BM Vroom-Cramer, Institute for Information Law, University of Amsterdam (until 1-2003), Deputy Judge in Amsterdam (from 4-2003)
• B van der Heide, Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sport, The Hague, advisor
• Dr CH Langeveld, Council for Health Research, The Hague, advisor
• Dr LTJ Pijls, Health Council, The Hague, scientific secretar