Cocoa flavonols can improve blood flow

FOLLOWING the positive Scientific Opinion issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in July 20121, the EU Commission has approved Barry Callebaut’s health claim submission on cocoa flavanols, under Regulation No 851/2013.

The company has been able to provide evidence that the daily intake of 200 mg of cocoa flavanols can improve blood flow. It now owns the health claim: “cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow.”

The approval gives Barry Callebaut the proprietary right to use this claim in EU countries, for cocoa beverages (with cocoa powder) or for dark chocolate providing at least a daily intake of 200 mg of cocoa flavanols. This amount can be derived from either 2.5 g ACTICOA? cocoa powder or 10 g ACTICOA dark chocolate. Barry Callebaut customers who use the same products can apply the claim on their products and packaging.

“Receiving the right to use a health claim on cocoa flavanols by the EU Commission is most valuable for us as it is a great reward for long years of extensive research. The health claim is opening up new market potential. Since we received the positive opinion from EFSA on our submitted health claim, we saw a lot of interest among our customers,” said Peter Boone, Chief Innovation Officer.

“The EU Commission’s approval marks a milestone in our research efforts in the healthy ingredients of the cocoa bean,” added Herwig Bernaert, head of Discovery Programs and Global Projects.