Supplements in the EU: An Updated Analysis of Health Claims Related to Articular Joint Health

In the European Union (EU), vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and other bioactive
substances, including botanicals, can be marketed as food supplements (FS). Food supplements
meant to benefit human health contain claims on their label stating their benefits. Since 2007, health
claims made on FS, are prohibited unless they are authorised and included in the EU Register of
Nutrition and Health Claims on Food (the EU Register), in accordance with the requirements of
Regulation (EC) nº 1924/2006.
Aims: Here we review the evidence required to support health claims made on FS considering the
legal framework of these foodstuffs and, as a case study, analyse the health claims on articular joint
health included in the EU Register.The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) scientific opinions
related to those health claims are also considered. In EU, some botanicals and other bioactive
substances can be marketed as medicinal or as FS. The current regulatory issues on botanicals and
the debate on how to create a regulatory framework for botanicals are mentioned.
Results: By July 2020, 78 functional claims on joints health, non-authorised, were included in the EU
Register. The great majority were Article 13.1 claims (90%). All claims related to articular joints
function were made on various ingredients, mainly bioactive substances that could be used in the
manufacturing of FS. Human trials conducted in diseased population were a main statement for EFSA
unfavourable assessment of these claims as their data cannot be extrapolated to the general
population because the mechanisms involved in the onset and/or progression of osteoarthritis or
rheumatoid arthritis are largely unknown.
Conclusion: Scientific substantiation is still the greatest challenge to take into account in health
claims related to joint function. More research regarding the human trials design and the choice of
adequate outcome variables and methods of measurement could benefit future applications for health
claims in this area.