L‐carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

• Main Authors: EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (EFSA NDA Panel), Dominique Turck, Jean‐Louis Bresson, Barbara Burlingame, Tara Dean, Susan Fairweather‐Tait, Marina Heinonen, Karen Ildico Hirsch‐Ernst, Inge Mangelsdorf, Harry J McArdle, Androniki Naska, Monika Neuhäuser‐Berthold, Grażyna Nowicka, Kristina Pentieva, Yolanda Sanz, Anders Sjödin, Martin Stern, Daniel Tomé, Henk Van Loveren, Marco Vinceti, Peter Willatts, Ambroise Martin, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Alfonso Siani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: L‐carnitine; lipid metabolism; health claim
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5137

Abstract Following an application from Lonza Ltd., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to L‐carnitine and normal lipid metabolism. The food that is proposed as the subject of the health claim is L‐carnitine. The Panel considers that L‐carnitine is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘normal lipid metabolism’. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. The Panel considers that contribution to normal lipid metabolism is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant proposes that the claim submitted with this application is based on the essentiality of a nutrient. The Panel considers that the evidence provided does not establish that dietary L‐carnitine is required to maintain normal lipid metabolism in the target population, for which the claim is intended. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L‐carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism in the target population.