EFSA issues scientific opinion on cocoa flavanols

July 17, 2012, Switzerland/Belgium – The European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA) issued a positive opinion on Barry Callebaut's health claim
dossier submitted last year.

July 17, 2012, Switzerland/Belgium – The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion on Barry Callebaut's health claim dossier submitted last year. Barry Callebaut received a health claim that "cocoa flavanols help maintain endothelium-dependent vasodilation which contributes to normal blood flow." The company was able to provide evidence that the intake of 200 milligrams of cocoa flavanols (provided by 2.5 grams of high-flavanol cocoa powder or 10 grams of high-flavanol dark chocolate) positively influence blood circulation in the human body.

Barry Callebaut has carried out more than 20 human clinical studies examining various impacts of cocoa flavanols on the human body since 2005. For these studies, the company used cocoa powder and chocolate products made through its own developed ACTICOA process which results in high-flavanol cocoa products. The company maintained up to 80 per cent of the cocoa flavanols which would be destroyed for the most part during the conventional chocolate-making process.

If the European Union Commission further approves the health claim, Barry Callebaut will have the right to use the cocoa flavanols claim for five years within countries in the European Union. The company's customers using its high-flavanol cocoa products would be able to apply the claim on their products and packaging.