Page 85 - FoodFocusThailand No.210 SEPTEMBER 2023
P. 85

STRATEGIC R&D


                        - The claim about the immune        Hence, for research and development of food products with immune-boosting
                     system is shown on the positive list   claims, we shall start by selecting the nutrients with immune claims on the
                     according to Notification of Thai FDA   positive list of Thai FDA. Then, we shall design the product formula to contain
                     (10  June  2019):  Nutrient  function   such nutrients at the levels that can be considered as “a source of” or “high”. In
                     claims. The claimed text is in a similar   case of using the other essential substances that are not on the positive list as
                     format as follows.                  mentioned above, we shall start by selecting the active ingredients with published
                        (Name of nutrient) contributes   clinical trials and systemic review with meta-analysis or have been approved
                     to the normal function of the       by EFSA for its immune function claims. Then, we shall design the product
                     immune system.                      formula to contain such ingredients in the amount adequate to provide such
                        According to the positive list, the   immune-promoting function.
                     nutrients that can be claimed for an
                     immune effect include vitamin A, B6,
                     B12, folic acid or folate, vitamin C,                 More Information        Service Info C011
                     vitamin D, iron, zinc, copper, and
                     selenium.
                        2. Other function claims
                        For other substances not listed
                     as nutrients on the Thai RDI, such as
                     plant  or  a ni mal  extracts,
                     phytochemicals,  fatty  acids,  and
                     probiotic products, depending on the
                     food categories, different supporting
                     evidence is required to make claims
                     as follows.
                        - For probiotic products, we shall
                     follow Notification of Public Health
                     B.E. 2011: Use of probiotic organisms
                     in food. Two reports of well-designed
                     human intervention studies from two
                     independent  organizations  are
                     required.
                        - For food in hermetically sealed
                     packages or dietary supplements, we
                     shall  follow  FDA’s  Guide  for  the
                     Public: application for health claim
                     assessment. One well-designed
                     human intervention study and one
                     systemic review with meta-analysis
                     or scientific opinion from a trustable
                     organization such as EFSA Scientific
                     opinion are required. Usually, the
                     effect of food products on healthy
                     people on the immune system cannot
                     be  clearly  seen.  Therefore,  the
                     following designs are commonly used
                     for clinical trials to support health
                     claims about the immune system in
                     one of two ways:
                        1.  The intervention is given
                     together  with  standard  immune-
                     boosting procedures such as
                     vaccination.  Comparisons  on  the
                     immune response were made
                     between  vaccination  with  food
                     products and vaccination with
                     placebo products which is an imitation
                     of the product without the claimed
                     active ingredient.
                        2. The intervention is given to
                     immune-defective people such as
                     healthy volunteers who are having a
                     common cold.




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