SNE welcomes the adoption of Commission Regulation on two health claims on Meal replacement weight control

Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE), representing manufacturers of specialised nutrition products in Europe, welcomes the adoption of the Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1413 on two health claims related to meal replacements for weight control, published on 25 August in the Official Journal of the EU.

Meal replacements for weight control are formulated to replace one or more meals of the day. They are used as part of an energy-restricted diet and are carefully formulated to ensure consumers the maintenance of a healthy diet, and adequate macro- and micro-nutrients intakes,despite the important energy restriction in the diet.

This newly adopted Regulation amends the conditions of use of the two already authorized health claims on meal replacements for weight control, in order to ensure its alignment with the provisions of the general EU food law[1], while a high level of consumer protection is maintained:

• The essential particular nutritional characteristics remain similar as the ones of  the currently applicable Directive 96/8/EC on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction;
• The main change relates to the reduction of the energy content per portion of one meal replacement (200-250 kcal instead of 200-400 kcal), more suitable for the purpose of weight control.

The Regulation is establishing a three years transition period (until 14 September 2019) so that meal replacements for weight control can adapt to the new composition requirements. SNE looks forward to the implementation of these updated rules that will enable appropriate and safe nutrition for consumers willing to lose or maintain weight across the EU.