Food science and food ingredients: the need for reliable scientific approaches and correct communication, Florence, 24 March 2015

Figures & data

Figure 1. Differing impact of fatty acids on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Source: Based on Micha & Mozaffarian (2010). Key: LDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids; MUFA, monounsaturated fatty acids; SFA, saturated fatty acids; CHO, carbohydrate.

Figure 2. The importance of abdominal fat as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Source: Based on Ohlson et al. (1985). Key: BMI, body mass index with tertile I representing lower BMI; WHR, the waist-to-hip ratio with tertile I representing lower WHR.

Table 1. Key steps in determining a causal link between a food/constituent and health.

Characterisation	Information on the characteristics of the food/constituent for which a health link is sought, e.g. composition, physical and chemical characteristics, nutrient bioavailability.
Relevance	Is the claimed effect of the food/constituent relevant for human health?
Causality	Evidence that a cause and effect relationship is established between the consumption of the food/constituent and the claimed effect in humans, e.g. strength, consistency, specificity, dose-response and biological plausibility of the relationship.
Practicability	Can the quantity of the food/constituent, and pattern of consumption, required to obtain the claimed effect reasonably be achieved as part of a balanced diet?
Targeting	Is the specific study group in which the evidence was obtained a representative of the target population for which the claim is intended?

Source: Based on EFSA (2011).

Micha R, Mozaffarian D. 2010. Saturated fat and cardiometabolic risk factors, coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: a fresh look at the evidence. Lipids 45:893–905.

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Ohlson LO, Larsson B, Svärdsudd K, Welin L, Eriksson H, Wilhelmsen L, Björntorp P, et al. 1985. The influence of body fat distribution on the incidence of diabetes mellitus. 13.5 years of follow-up of the participants in the study of men born in 1913. Diabetes 34:1055–1058.

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European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 2011. Scientific and technical guidance for the preparation and presentation of an application for authorisation of a health claim. EFSA J 9:2170.

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