EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides and maintenance of tooth mineralisation (ID 337) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides and maintenance of tooth mineralisation. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides. In the context of the references provided, the Panel assumes that the food, which is the subject of the health claim is sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides. From the references provided, the Panel assumes that the claim refers to an effect of sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides on maintenance of tooth mineralisation beyond the well established effect that other sugar-free chewing gums (i.e. without calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides) have on tooth mineralisation. The Panel considers that the food, sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides, which is the subject of the health claim and the comparison food, sugar-free chewing gum without calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides, are both sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The claimed effect is “dental health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to a beneficial balance between de- and remineralisation of tooth enamel and dentin. The Panel considers that maintenance of tooth mineralisation is a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies were provided from which conclusions can be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the use of sugar-free chewing gum with calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides and maintenance of tooth mineralisation over and above the well established role of sugar-free chewing gum on the maintenance of tooth mineralisation. A claim on sugar-free chewing gum and maintenance of tooth mineralisation has already been assessed with a favourable outcome.