Within the EU, the Commission will is to produce a positive list of health claims by 31 January 2010. Any claims submitted for the EU list after this period will have to be examined by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and approved by the Commission and Member States through the Comitology procedure.

Health claims are only permitted if the following information is included on the label:

• A statement indicating the importance of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle
• The quantity of the food and pattern of consumption required to obtain the claimed beneficial effect
• Where appropriate, a statement addressed to persons who should avoid using the food
• An appropriate warning for products that are likely to present a health risk if consumed to excess

The label must include nutrition information, in "group 2" format. Click here for details. The health claim must be in the same field of vision as the nutrition information.

The following health claims are not permitted:

• Claims which suggest that health could be affected by not consuming the food
• Claims which make reference to the rate or amount of weight loss
• Claims which make reference to recommendations of individual doctors or health professionals and other associations not referred to in the Directive.
  The Directive states "In the absence of specific Community rules concerning recommendations of or endorsements by national associations of medical, nutrition or dietetic professionals and health-related charities, relevant national rules may apply in compliance with the Treaty."
• Health claims may not made for any beverage containing more than 1.2% of alcohol by volume.