Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to “toothkind” drinks and reduction of tooth demineralisation pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from GlaxoSmithKline, submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of the United Kingdom, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence and including a request for the protection of proprietary data related to “toothkind” drinks and reduction of tooth demineralisation. The food constituent, “toothkind” juice drinks, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised. The Panel considers that reduction of tooth demineralisation is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant identified 25 human intervention trials and 10 in vitro studies as being pertinent to the health claim. In weighing the evidence for reduced potential of “toothkind” juice drinks for demineralisation of dental enamel by reducing plaque pH, the Panel considers that “toothkind” juice drinks reduced tooth demineralisation when compared to sugar solution (10 g/100 ml) at an exposure frequency of seven times daily. No evidence has been presented for an effect at lower exposure frequencies. In weighing the evidence for reduced erosive potential, the Panel considers that “toothkind” juice drinks reduced tooth demineralisation when compared to typical conventional juice drinks at an exposure frequency of four times daily. No evidence has been presented for an effect at lower exposure frequencies. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of “toothkind” juice drinks and reduction of tooth demineralisation when compared to typical conventional juice drinks at an exposure frequency of four times daily and when compared to typical sugar-containing acidic non-alcoholic beverages at an exposure frequency of seven times daily.