Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to carbohydrates that induce low/reduced glycaemic responses (ID 474, 475, 483, 484) and carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index (ID 480, 481, 482, 1300) 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 carbohydrates that induce low/reduced glycaemic responses and carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index. 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 constituents that are the subject of the health claim are carbohydrates that induce a low/reduced glycaemic response and carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index (e.g. <55). The Panel considers that carbohydrates that induce a low/reduced glycaemic response and carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index (e.g. <55) are not sufficiently characterised. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of carbohydrates that induce a low/reduced glycaemic response or carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index and the claimed effects.