JHCI PRESS RELEASE

Melanie Ruffell
(former JHCI Executive Director)
Ph: 0044 (0) 77 99 416 444
Email: melanieruffell@gmail.com

22nd March 2007

JOINT HEALTH CLAIMS INITIATIVE CLOSING ITS DOORS 31/03/07

The UK body, made up of representatives of the food industry, consumer interest groups and enforcement authorities, which provides voluntary advice on the truthfulness of health claims for foods is set to close its doors at the end of this month.

The Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI) was launched in December 2000 and has worked to create a level playing field for the food industry and enforcement and to increase consumer protection by checking out the science behind health claims. The JHCI Directors and Council agree that the new EU ‘claims’ Regulation for foods is about to supplant this area of activity.

EU Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods will begin to apply harmonised rules across Europe from 1st July. The European Commission and Member States acting together will authorise health claims for use. They will be advised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which assumes responsibility for the assessment of claims, which until now has been a key role of the JHCI in the UK.

Member States are now in the process of contributing to an EU-wide list of claims based on generally accepted science and this work is being carried out in the UK by the Food Standards Agency. The Agency has also released a consultation on documents associated with the implementation of European Regulation. To ensure full access to referenced material, and because national provisions will continue to apply until the list of claims is adopted in January 2010, the dossiers supporting JHCI approved generic claims will be transferred to the Agency where they will be stored and be available for access.

Melanie Ruffell, JHCI Executive Director said, “I am delighted to have seen the organisation through to its natural conclusion. JHCI was set up with a code of practice aimed at ensuring that health claims should not mislead consumers. This was always seen as an interim measure during the absence of specific legislation for health claims. Now that this legislation has been agreed, it is time to make way for the changes ahead. JHCI has been a pioneering initiative driven by three distinct groups with a common desire for rules on health claims, and has provided an effective model for collaboration. The tripartite alliance has enabled JHCI to provide independent and reliable advice in the short term, and, in the long term, has helped set the future standard for health claims by approving claims and successfully operating the JHCI Code of Practice and Guidelines for Substantiation. I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to all JHCI supporters and subscribers, and, particularly, the Chairs and Members of the Council and Expert Committee for their valued contributions and assistance which resulted in the high regard in which the JHCI is held by all stakeholders. Furthermore, I hope that the results of our work and positive experience will continue to be a helpful resource during the transition into the new legal environment”.

Copies of the Code, substantiation guidelines and details of health claims assessed by the JHCI are available from the JHCI website (www.jhci.org.uk), which will remain active after the closure of JHCI.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

JHCI is an independent coalition formed to assess health claims on food. It has representatives from various consumer groups; food law enforcement agencies and food industry bodies representing manufacturers and retailers.

It was established in 2000 to publish a Code of Practice on health claims and to consider and assess health claims submitted in dossier form by interested parties. The JHCI has also carried out related project work funded by the Food Standards Agency. The JHCI is primarily funded by UK food business interests.

The rationale for establishing the JHCI was to provide independent and authoritative advice and guidance on health claims for UK trade, enforcement and consumer interests on a voluntary basis until such time as EU legislation was in place to provide an EU-wide statutory control framework.

The JHCI Code of Practice was launched in December 2000, and in the absence of specific EU legislation:

· Defines a health claim;
· Outlines the legal framework within which a claim can be made;
· Sets criteria and general nutrition principles for making a claim;
· Identifies the ways in which new and existing claims must be scientifically substantiated; and
· Sets out requirements for labelling and consumer information about the health benefits of a product.

JHCI Council members

Les Bailey (LACORS)
Sue Bell (British Retail Consortium)
Eva Hurt (Food and Drink Federation)
Sheila Kelly (PAGB)
Kate Lees (British Dietetic Association)
David Pickering (LACORS)
Jill Pitt (National Consumer Council)
Dr Mike Rayner (Sustain)
Kevin Wardle (LACORS)

JHCI Expert Committee members

Dr Duncan Campbell, Chairman (West Yorkshire Analytical Services)
Dr Judy Buttriss
Dr Janet Cade
Dr Susan Jebb
Prof Michael Lean
Prof Tom Sanders
Prof Sean Strain
Prof Martin Wiseman