Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to sugar‐free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol and plaque acid neutralisation (ID 485), maintenance of tooth mineralisation (ID 486, 562, 1181), reduction of dental plaque (ID 485, 3085), and defence against pathogens in the middle ear (ID 561, 1180) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

摘要

This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol and plaque acid neutralisation, maintenance of tooth mineralisation, reduction of dental plaque, and defence against pathogens in the middle ear. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food that is the subject of the health claims is sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol. The Panel considers that sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects. Plaque acid neutralisation The claimed effect is “plaque reduction”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers 1 On request from the European Commission, Question No EFSA-Q-2008-1272, EFSA-Q-2008-1273, EFSA-Q-2008-1348, EFSA-Q-2008-1349, EFSA-Q-2008-1919, EFSA-Q-2008-1920, EFSA-Q-2008-3817, adopted on 25 March 2011. Panel members: Carlo Agostoni, Jean-Louis Bresson, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Albert Flynn, Ines Golly, Hannu Korhonen, Pagona Lagiou, Martinus L?vik, Rosangela Marchelli, Ambroise Martin, Bevan Moseley, Monika Neuh?user-Berthold, Hildegard Przyrembel, Seppo Salminen, Yolanda Sanz, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Stephan Strobel, Inge Tetens, Daniel Tomé, Hendrik van Loveren and Hans Verhagen.