ONE Project, TWO Health Claims
Talk of c
ontinuous flat demand for tomato products becoming a normalized condition in the global market has lead to renewed calls for innovative thinking and creative strategies to reverse this troubling trend. One example of innovation we’ve been watching develop over the last year is the ongoing work of The Tomato Foundation as they pursue a health claim for tomato paste and paste-based products. Since EFSA toughened the food and supplement labeling laws in 2006, one of the few success stories has been the tomato extract Fruitflow and its approved 13.5 ‘New Function’ health claim for improved blood flow.
All the bioactive compounds in Fruitflow are also present in tomato paste.
In fact, it’s a matter of public record that much of the research data in the Fruitflow dossier submitted to EFSA as proof of efficacy involved trials where servings of tomato or tomato products were active elements.
The Tomato Foundation will reference this existing Fruitflow trial data - now outside a 5 year proprietary period - as the core of a new application to EFSA.
With most of the research already done, there are only two additional phases of action required:
1. Product sample testing to establish chemical uniformity in tomato paste from multiple regions
2. Two new human nutrition trials
Once all the data - old and new - has been compiled, the Foundation will submit the completed dossier to EFSA in 2019/20.
The trial data from the successful EFSA claim will also serve as the scientific proof necessary for an FDA Structure/Function health claim in the US.
Boosting the industry with two independent, authority-approved claims in these two important territories will influence demand globally.
Leading industry representatives have already described this project as potentially a “global game changer” or “silver bullet” with the power to shift consumer opinion and add value across product categories. Seed companies, machinery makers, packagers, growers, processors, product makers, everyone in the supply chain is a stakeholder in the future growth of our industry.
And besides - isn’t it about time we are able to say tomatoes are good for you on the label.
For further information, please visit The Tomato Foundation project page on their website:
ENGLISH:
http://www.tomatofoundation.org/index.php/en/redroom
ITALIAN:
http://www.tomatofoundation.org/index.php/it/redroom
SPANISH:
http://www.tomatofoundation.org/index.php/es/redroom