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 vitamin E and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, maintenance of the normal function of the immune system, maintenance of normal bone, maintenance of normal teeth, maintenance of normal hair, maintenance of normal skin, maintenance of normal nails, maintenance of normal cardiac function, maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye, contribution to normal cognitive function, regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin C, maintenance of normal blood circulation and maintenance of a normal scalp. 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 constituent that is the subject of the health claims is vitamin E. The Panel considers that vitamin E is sufficiently characterised. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage The claimed effects are "protection of body cells from oxidative damage by being a free radical scavenger" and "antioxidants and aging". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that protection of DNA, protein and lipids from oxidative damage may be a beneficial physiological effect. Vitamin E functions physiologically as a chain-breaking antioxidant that prevents the propagation of lipid peroxidation. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin E and protection of DNA, protein and lipids from oxidative damage. Maintenance of the normal function of the immune system The claimed effects are "normal immune system function" and "is important for the immune system". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of the normal function of the immune system is a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that the studies presented did not demonstrate immune defects in vitamin E deficient individuals, and that a restoration of a depressed immune system by vitamin E has not been shown. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of the normal function of the immune system. Maintenance of normal bone The claimed effect is "bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal bone 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal bone. Maintenance of normal teeth The claimed effect is "bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal teeth 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal teeth. Maintenance of normal hair The claimed effect is "bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal hair 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal hair. Maintenance of normal skin The claimed effect is "bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal skin 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal skin. Maintenance of normal nails The claimed effect is "bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal nails 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal nails. Maintenance of normal cardiac function The claimed effect is "can neutralise free radicals and help maintain a healthy heart". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal cardiac function is a beneficial physiological effect. The results of intervention studies with vitamin E do not support the majority of the findings from epidemiological studies that vitamin E might be important in maintaining normal cardiac function. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal cardiac function. Maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye The claimed effect is "eye health; vitamin E, C are found in the lens of the eye; acts jointly with vitamin C". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye. Contribution to normal cognitive function The claimed effects are "antioxidant activity and cognitive function" and "mental state and performance". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that contribution to normal cognitive function 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and contribution to normal cognitive function. Regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin C The claimed effect is "regeneration of vitamin C, vitamin C and vitamin E have synergistic effects". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin C 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin C. Maintenance of normal blood circulation The claimed effect is "blood circulation". The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal blood circulation 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal blood circulation. Maintenance of a normal scalp The claimed effect is "health of the scalp". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of a normal scalp 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 dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of a normal scalp. Conditions and possible restrictions of use The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of vitamin E as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.
