Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to honey and “respiratory health through presence of antioxidant phytochemicals” (ID 1161), “the unique composition and ratio of effective substances adds energy to the human body” (ID 3188), and “it stimulates the whole metabolism and the immune system” (ID 3189) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to honey and the following claimed effects: “respiratory health through presence of antioxidant phytochemicals”, “the unique composition and ratio of effective substances adds energy to the human body”, and “it stimulates the whole metabolism and the immune system”. 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 claim is honey for ID 1161. For ID 3188 and 3189 the food suggested is honey comb. The Panel considers that the food is honey. From the references provided it was not possible to characterise the specific honey for which the claims should be made. Some references provided details on the source of the nectar but these articles were unrelated to the claimed effects. The Panel considers that the food, honey, has not been sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of honey and the claimed effects.