Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to taurine and “immune system protection” (ID 611), “metabolism processes” (ID 613), contribution to normal cognitive function (ID 1659), maintenance of normal cardiac function (ID 1661), maintenance of normal muscle function (ID 1949) and delay in the onset of physical fatigue during exercise (ID 1958) 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 a health claim in relation to taurine and “immune system protection”, “metabolism processes”, contribution to normal cognitive function, maintenance of normal cardiac function, maintenance of normal muscle function and delay in the onset of physical fatigue during exercise. 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 taurine. The Panel considers that taurine is sufficiently characterised.