Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to Vitis vinifera L. seeds extract and maintenance of normal venous blood flow pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Nutrilinks Sarl, submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Vitis vinifera L. seeds extract and maintenance of normal venous blood flow. The Panel considers that the food constituent, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect, maintenance of normal venous blood flow, is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant identified two human intervention studies as pertinent to the health claim. Owing to the very limited information provided in relation to one study, and that the second study was conducted with a food not complying with the characterisation of the food which is the subject of the health claim and did not measure venous blood flow, the Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Vitis vinifera L. seeds extract and maintenance of normal venous blood flow.