European Food Safety Authority; Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to beta-palmitate and increased calcium absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to review the scientific comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to beta-palmitate and increased calcium absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services originated from the applicant (IDACE). EFSA has reviewed the comments and shared them with the chair of the NDA Panel, Prof. Albert Flynn, and the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims, Prof. Sean (J.J.) Strain. In its opinion adopted on 30 June 2011, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) concluded that the evidence provided was insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of beta-palmitate and an increase in calcium absorption. The comments received do not change the conclusions of the NDA Panel.