Health and Nutrition Claims

Health and Nutrition Claims are specific representations about the nutritional or health benefits of a food product. According to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and Taiwan's Food Safety and Health Management Act Article 28, these claims must be scientifically substantiated and approved by competent authorities. Claims are categorized into 'Nutrition Claims' (e.g., low fat, high fiber) and 'Health Claims' (e.g., calcium is necessary for bone health). In the context of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), these claims represent a critical regulatory compliance risk. Misrepresentation can lead to product recalls, heavy fines, and damage to brand equity. Unlike general marketing copy, health claims are legal representations that require a robust substantiation framework to be valid under international standards like Codex Alimentarius and ISO 22000.2

Practical application involves a three-step framework: Identification, Verification, and Control. First, companies must map all intended claims against the EU EFSA list and Taiwan's Food Safety and Health Management Act Article 28 to define the legal boundaries. Second, a 'Scientific Dossier' must be created for each claim, ensuring every statement is backed by peer-reviewed research or recognized nutritional science. Third, Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) such as 'Claim Compliance Rate' and 'Regulatory Inquiry Frequency' should be monitored. For instance, a Taiwanese food exporter that implemented a pre-market claim-review process as part of their ISO 22000 system reduced regulatory inquiries by 60% within the first year. This systematic approach allows the company to preemptively address risks before they escalate into legal liabilities or financial losses.

Taiwan enterprises typically face three challenges: Regulatory Divergence, Scientific Capability Gaps, and Supply Chain Risks. Regulatory Divergence occurs because Taiwan's Food Safety and Health Management Act has different requirements from the EU's EU No 1924/2006, making it difficult for companies with diverse markets to standardize. Scientific Capability Gaps arise when companies lack the expertise to provide the rigorous substantiation required by authorities. Supply Chain Risks involve suppliers providing inaccurate nutritional data. To overcome these, companies should: 1. Implement a 'Regulatory Intelligence' system to track changes in real-time; 2. Partner with specialized consultants or universities for scientific validation; 3. Establish strict supplier qualification protocols. A phased approach—starting with nutrition claims before moving to health claims—is recommended to manage the learning curve and resource allocation effectively.

Winners Consulting Services Co., Ltd. specializes in Health and Nutrition Claims for Taiwan enterprises, delivering compliant management systems within 90 days. We provide comprehensive services including regulatory intelligence, scientific substantiation support, and label-to-claim verification. Our approach has helped over 100 companies avoid regulatory actions and optimize their product-to-market strategies. Free consultation: https://winners.com.tw/contact