Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of health claims related to a standardised aqueous extract from white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and reduction of body weight pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to address the scientific comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to a standardised aqueous extract from white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and reduction of body weight pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services originated from the applicant (InQpharm). The comments received were related to the interim analysis of one human study, methodological limitations of one supportive human study and to studies on the proposed mechanism. EFSA has reviewed the comments and shared them with the chair of the NDA Panel and the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims. In its opinion adopted on 25 June 2014, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) concluded that the evidence provided is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of the standardised aqueous extract from white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and a reduction of body weight. The comments received do not require any change to the conclusions of the NDA Panel.