Issues in the substantiation process of health claims.

Attempts are being made at the international level within the framework of the Codex Alimentarius to establish guidelines for health claims. An important issue that has to be addressed is the process of substantiating any health claim. Previous papers have addressed aspects relating to the development and regulatory control of functional foods and certain issues relating to claims. This paper addresses several issues concerning the substantiation of health claims through the examination of the regulations and guidelines in several countries. They include (1) importance of human- and product-based studies; (2) concept of scientific consensus; (3) authorization of claim wording; (4) availability of scientific evidence to public (confidentiality). The paper finally proposes a system based on generic and innovative health claims.

Current international approaches to food claims.

The market for functional foods is rapidly increasing. It is necessary to establish a legal framework for these foods. This has proved difficult in a number of countries. The control through health claims is generally accepted as the most appropriate measure. Activity in this area has been developing both at the national and international levels. However, the regulations and proposals from a number of national authorities and other nongovernmental sectors are varied and difficult to reconcile. This paper examines the range of health claim controls being used in the food area. They are considered in detail so as to establish a better understanding of the claims. In this paper, the claims have been classified into six categories: nutrient content claims, comparative claims, nutrient function claims, claims related to dietary guidelines or healthy diets, enhanced function claims, and reduction of disease risk claims. Of these, the latter four claims are considered to have significant implications for functional foods.

Food safety control in the Republic of Korea.

With the increased globalization of the food trade, the work of the World Trade Organization has led to the greater recognition and use of the concept of equivalence. Use of this concept, however, requires countries to be aware of the national controls applied in other countries. This article provides an overview of the current system in use in the Republic of Korea. It outlines the administrative systems employed to maintain food safety that includes the recent establishment of the Korea Food and Drug Administration. It provides details of the legislative structure, including the Food Sanitation Act of 1986 (and its recent amendment) and related regulations. Certain nongovernmental bodies are also described. The article concludes by recognizing that modern food safety problems require concerted action, both nationally and internationally.