Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) submitted health claim on Carbohydrate solutions & its contribution to the improvement of intense physical performance is now authorised for use on sport drinks!

Brussels, 27 April 2021: Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) welcomes the Commission Regulation 2021/686 published today concerning the authorisation of a health claim on carbohydrate solutions contributing to the improvement of physical performance during a high-intensity and long-lasting physical exercise in healthy trained adults.

This Regulation was finalised following the submission of the SNE application in 2017 and a subsequent positive EFSA opinion published in March 2018, highlighting the beneficial effect of carbohydrate solutions in the improvement of physical performance during high-intensity and long-lasting physical exercise.

SNE President, Professor Udo Herz, states: “SNE is pleased that today, the European Commission acknowledges the well-established beneficial health effect of sports nutrition in improving physical performance .During intense physical activity, sportspeople are prone to nutritional deficiencies, including a depletion of the body’s carbohydrate reserves, causing fatigue during exercise. Sports nutrition has a crucial role in maintaining the appropriate supply of nutrients during intense physical performance. Health claims are essential tools helping sportspeople to identify the foods specially formulated to respond to their particular nutritional needs”.

Carbohydrate solutions are beneficial during exercise for maintenance of blood glucose levels, especially for endurance exercise lasting longer than one hour for physically active, trained or well-trained healthy adults.

SNE considers this Commission Regulation as a stepping stone towards the adaptation of the General (EU) Food Law for sports food, which should ensure its safe use, and the provision of appropriate information for sportspeople.

Sports nutrition is specifically designed and formulated to respond to the very specific nutritional needs of athletes and sportspeople. As part of the EU Farm to Fork strategy, SNE supports the design of specific rules for sports nutrition, to ensure their safe use and the provision of appropriate information for sportspeople.

Notes to editors:

• Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) is the trade association representing the interests of the specialised nutrition industry across the European Union. SNE members are the national associations of 18 Member States and their members are the companies producing tailor made dietary solutions for populations with very specific nutritional needs including sportspeople.