Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) and “immune system” (ID 1081), 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 (EC) No Regulation 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) and immune system. 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 Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843). The Panel considers that Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) is sufficiently characterised. The Panel considers that the claimed effect „immune system‟ is not sufficiently defined and no further details are given in the proposed wording. The references provided address several effects related to immune system (e.g. gut barrier function, systemic inflammatory response, antibody production) and it is not possible to establish which specific effect is the target for the claim. The Panel considers that the claimed effect, “immune system”, has not been sufficiently defined. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) and “immune system”.