Botanical innovation limited by safety considerations and EU health claim processes

08 Jun 2023 — Although demand for botanicals is soaring, no new botanical health claim applications can be authorized in Europe, which limits how companies can market their products. The assessment of botanical health claims has been “on hold” since 2010 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and it is unclear when this situation will change. 

Methodologies used to authorize claims on specific nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are ineffective for botanicals, which are more complex foodstuffs.