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 lutein and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage and maintenance of normal vision. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references which EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is lutein. The Panel considers that lutein is sufficiently characterised. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of lutein and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage The claimed effects are "skin health" and "antioxidant activity". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to UV-dependent premature aging of the skin related to photo-oxidative damage of skin structure and texture and to direct UV-induced skin damage (sunburn). The Panel considers that protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage is a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of lutein and protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage. Maintenance of normal vision The claimed effects are "antioxidant properties" and "antioxidant activity". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to the maintenance of normal vision. A claim on lutein and maintenance of normal vision has already been assessed and the Panel concluded that the evidence provided was insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of lutein and the maintenance of normal vision. The references cited for this claim did not provide any additional scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claim.
