EFSA Nutrient Profiling Highlights Fat, Sodium and Sugar

The European Commission (EC) has requested the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonized mandatory front-of-fact nutrition labeling and conditions for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. Nutrients included in the assessment are those that are likely to be consumed in excess or in inadequate amounts in most European countries. 

EFSA’s scientific advice, published this week, reflects the findings of its nutrition experts. The draft opinion was based on a public consultation that generated 529 comments from 83 organizations and individuals in 21 countries. They found intakes of energy, saturated fats, sodium and added or free sugars are too high in Europe.  Reducing them would help combat chronic diseases linked to unhealthy diets, EFSA noted.  On the other hand, finding showed dietary fiber and potassium intakes are too low in ‘most’ European adult populations, thus increasing them would also contribute to improved health.