EuroFIR eBASIS: application for health claims submissions and evaluations

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• The European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) established the eBASIS database for plant-derived bioactive compounds (phytochemicals).
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assesses health claims for scientific justification.
• This report evaluates the eBASIS database for its role in health claims preparation and evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the eBASIS biological effects database for its utility in health claims dossiers.
• To identify the overlap between the eBASIS database and health claims related to phytochemicals submitted to EFSA.

Main Methods:

• Compiled expert-evaluated data from human intervention studies on phytochemicals in the eBASIS database.
• Included data on 56 biomarkers, 144 bioactive compounds, and 17 compound classes.
• Compared eBASIS data with EFSA's health claims register (articles 13.1, 13.5, and 14).

Main Results:

• Significant overlap was found between eBASIS and EFSA health claims concerning plant-based bioactive compounds.
• 496 of 2157 plant-related article 13.1 claims, 6 of 7 article 13.5 claims, and 19 of 21 article 14 claims were included in eBASIS.
• The eBASIS database contains data on 144 bioactive compounds from 17 classes, derived from 445 studies.

Conclusions:

• The eBASIS database demonstrates extensive overlap with health claims for plant-based bioactive compounds.
• eBASIS serves as a valuable tool for regulators to verify health claims completeness.
• The database can assist claimants in compiling dossiers for functional foods and health claims.