Authors' objectives:

To assess the available evidence on 'functional food' - processed food which not only feeds the consumer, but promises additional benefits related to the preservation and improvement of physical and mental well-being as well as reducing the risk of nutrition-related diseases.

Authors' recommendations: - It is recommended to support research activities aiming to improve the scientific basis for assessment of function, efficacy and safety of Functional Food. In addition, research infrastructure in public institutions should be improved in this area. Nutritional research activities should be strengthened in Switzerland, with particular focus on the interface between nutrition and medicine. - In order to better assess the future economic relevance of Functional Food, it is recommended to initiate research projects to analyse the purchasing and nutrition behaviour related to Functional Food in Switzerland. - Furthermore, the public should be informed comprehensively about Functional Food and health-related nutrition. - In order to remove the current uncertainty concerning regulation as well as the practice of market approval and control of Functional Food it is recommended to establish an effective procedure to clarify definition problems between the authorities which are responsible for control activities in the food and pharmaceutical area. In this context the public should be regularly informed about the legal status and classification of Functional Food. - It is also recommended to conceive Functional Food with the help of precise characteristics in a differentiated way but to avoid to establish a specific directive for this type of food within the existing food and pharmaceutical legislation. It is necessary to define the valid nomenclature of Functional Food with the help of typical characteristics within the existing food directive. In addition, the allowed health claims (which go beyond nutrition claims and refer to health-supporting effects) should be indicated in a general way for the defined groups of Functional Food. It is recommended to use simplified registration procedures for Functional Food which is covered by pharmaceutical legislation and to define the allowed health claims which do not have the character of medical claims, but refer to disease-preventing functions.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http:/www.ta-swiss.ch/

Year Published: 2000

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Switzerland

Organisation Name: Centre for Technology Assessment at the Swiss Science and Technology Council

Contact Address: Birkenweg 61, 3003 Bern, Switzerland. Tel: +41 31 322 9966; Fax: +41 31 323 3659

Contact Name: sergio.bellucci@swtr.admin.ch

Contact Email: sergio.bellucci@swtr.admin.ch

Copyright: Centre for Technology Assessment at the Swiss Science and Technology Council (TA-SWISS)