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The "daily food complete replacement products for weight management" are foods used in energy-reducing diets. The composition requirements for these products are relaxed in terms of the prescribed levels of linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and magnesium. This article summarizes the changes.
Composition and labeling requirements for these products are contained in Regulation (EU) 2017/1798. In addition, weight management products must comply with the general labeling requirements in Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed new scientific data regarding linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and magnesium at the request of a manufacturer. This data shows that the composition requirements can be relaxed.
Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (LA and ALA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids, also known as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Weight management products were previously required to contain at least 11 g of linoleic acid and at least 1.4 g of alpha-linolenic acid per full daily ration. However, the new data show that the required amount of linoleic acid is completely released during the breakdown of adipose tissue. In addition, the breakdown of adipose tissue provides 40% of the required amount of alpha-linolenic acid. Thus, according to EFSA, there is no need to add linoleic acid to weight management products. Moreover, the minimum level for alpha-linolenic acid can be reduced by 40% to 0.8 g per complete daily ration.
EFSA also assessed the possibility of increasing the maximum level for magnesium in weight management products. Magnesium can cause diarrhea, but severe diarrhea is not likely in overweight individuals. In fact, these individuals are more likely to suffer from constipation than diarrhea. EFSA concludes, based on the scientific evidence, that it is safe to increase the maximum level for magnesium from 250 mg to 350 mg/day per full daily ration.
The amendments are set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2017/1798. The amendments have already entered into force as of November 29, 2022. As this is a relaxation of the composition requirements, no transition period is applicable either. Manufacturers can therefore start adjusting the levels of linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and magnesium in the relevant products with immediate effect.
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