Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to meso-zeaxanthin and maintenance of vision (ID 2096) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

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 meso-zeaxanthin and maintenance of 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 that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is meso-zeaxanthin. The Panel considers that meso-zeaxanthin is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “required for macular pigmentation in the eyes for helping in maintenance of health eye functions”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. From the data provided, it has not been established that a change in macular pigment in people with healthy eyes is related to eye function. Normal vision, however, is a function of the eye which can be assessed by established methods. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal vision is a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel notes that the two references provided did not evaluate outcomes relevant to the claimed effect or a functional measure of vision. On the basis of the data presented, The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of meso-zeaxanthin and maintenance of normal vision.