Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to sugar-free chewing gum with fluoride and maintenance of tooth mineralisation (ID 1154) 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 sugar-free chewing gum with fluoride and maintenance of tooth mineralisation. 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 that is the subject of the health claim is sugar-free chewing gum with fluoride. The Panel considers that sugar-free chewing gum with fluoride is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The claimed effect is “increases resistance of enamel to acid attacks and rate of remineralisation”. The target population is assumed to be the general population above 6 years of age. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effect refers to the promotion of a beneficial balance between de- and remineralisation of tooth enamel and dentin. The Panel considers that maintenance of tooth mineralisation is a beneficial physiological effect. A claim on fluoride and maintenance of tooth mineralisation has already been assessed with a favourable outcome, as well as a claim on sugar-free chewing gum and maintenance of tooth mineralisation. The Panel considers that the scientific substantiation of the claimed effects, and the conditions of use for the claims, also apply to sugar-free chewing gum containing fluoride