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Harmonized Probiotic Labeling In Europe? Not Before 2027, Says EC Expert Advisor

 
• By David Ridley

The European Commission is unlikely to address the diverging regulatory approaches to probiotic labeling across the EU during its current term, pointed out an expert advisor in a recent webinar. Even if the next Commission addresses the issue early on, it will still be at least four years before implementation of any changes, and this is an “optimistic view,” commented Fit for Future Platform stakeholder group member Lasse Hamilton Heidemann.

Clock disintegrates, time running out concept
• Source: Piotr Adamowicz / Alamy Stock Photo

It’ll be at least four years before the European Union gets round to addressing the heterogeneous regulatory approaches to probiotic labeling within the region, predicted an expert advisor to the European Commission at a recent webinar.

Fit for Future Platform (F4F) stakeholder group member Lasse Hamilton Heidemann said he does not expect that the EC will look at the issue in its

Probiotics In The EU: Different Approaches In European Countries

France recently started allowing manufacturers to use the term “probiotic” on the label of dietary supplements that meet certain conditions, as well as the related health claim “contributes to the balance of the intestinal flora.” (Also see "France Becomes Latest EU Member To Allow 'Probiotic' Label For Dietary Supplements" - HBW Insight, 12 January, 2023.) 

The first countries to move away from the EC’s restrictive view of probiotics were Italy and the Czech Republic. Based on this precedent, Spain has officially permitted the use of the term on labels, using the recently introduced mutual recognition procedure for foods and food supplements

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