LoginFood Regulation - Nutrition and Health Claims
This 4-hour live webinar explores the practical application of nutrition and health claims, enforcement case law, and the balance between legal compliance and commercial pressures. Using real-world examples, it focuses on how to navigate labelling and marketing challenges while keeping consumer protection at the core.
- Session Title: Introduction to Nutrition and Health Claims
- Presenter(s): Ian Thomas, Barrister, Gough Square Chambers
- Delivery: This is a 4-hour Specialist Live Webinar, delivered via Microsoft Teams (including 1-2 short breaks).
- Date: 7 July 10.00 - 15.00
- Cost: £250 + vat
Module Overview
The session will contain practical examples within the various sub-topics including:
- Nutrition claims - wording and use - particularly in the Annex 'and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer'
- Health claims - wording and use - how far from the authorised wording can an FBO go before risking a challenge (as we know - not too far!) and why applications for health claims are not successful
- Case law, particularly when it provides an explanation of legal interpretation
- Enforcement powers and examples
An overall theme will be legal compliance versus commercial requirements (e.g. labelling/marketing challenges) where the focus is/should be on consumer protection. We will look at topical issues (as they emerge in 2025/2026) such as naming products as 'probiotics' which some argue should be permitted as a health claim or as a category of foods.
Outline of this Training Session
Part 1: EU/Northern Ireland and GB
- Why do we need to mention the EU
- EU/NI and GB
- How legislation is enacted in the EU
- How legislation is enacted in the UK/GB
Part 2: Background to NHCR – EU
- Why was it introduced
- Purposes, objectives
- How did it achieve them – positive authorisation
- Role of EFSA
Part 3: Background to NHCR – GB
- Why do we need a ‘GB’ version – assimilated law
- What is the same/different compared with EU law
- Role of FSA/FSS
- Divergence between GB law and contemporary EU law
Part 4: Nutrition and health claims – general
- What are claims
- Definition of nutrition claim and health claim
- General principles for all claims
- Case law on general principles
Part 5: Nutrition claims
- Reiterate definition
- Specific conditions of use
- Comparative claims
- The Annex to 1924/2006 – assimilated law/EU law
Part 6: Health claims
- Reiterate definition
- Specific conditions of use - the wording in practice
- The authorisation process - GB and EU
- Legislation and examples (authorised/non-authorised) – GB and EU
Part 7: Regulation and enforcement of NHCR in GB and the EU
- Domestic nutrition and health claims legislation (the four nations)
- Regulation and enforcement
- Sanctions
- Challenges
Part 8: Conclusion
- Summary of general principles nutrition
- Regulatory divergence – inevitable or not
- Opportunities for GB/realities of trade and FBOs
- Next steps for the EU/NI and GB
Q&A.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the legal framework for nutrition and health claims in GB, NI, and the EU, including key divergences and the roles of FSA, FSS, and EFSA.
- Differentiate between nutrition claims and health claims, and apply the rules for wording, use, and comparative claims in practice.
- Interpret case law and enforcement examples to understand how legal principles are applied in real-world scenarios.
- Assess the compliance risks of product labeling and marketing while balancing commercial considerations with consumer protection.
- Identify emerging issues and practical challenges in nutrition and health claims, including topical debates such as the use of “probiotics” as a claim or category.
Meet the Trainer
Ian Thomas
He advises clients, from multinationals to start-ups, on UK, Irish, and EU legislation. A renowned expert in food hygiene, labelling, supplements, recalls, and enforcement, he is Visiting Professor at Ulster University, a Fellow of the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) and a Committee Member of the Food Law Group.
Booking Information
- Additional Specialist Subject modules are available as a standalone module at £250 + VAT per module.
