Response to comments 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 “Lactobacillus plantarum TENSIA® in the semi-hard Edam-type ‘heart cheese’ of Harmony™” and maintenance of normal blood pressure 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 “Lactobacillus plantarum TENSIA^® in the semi-hard Edam-type ‘heart cheese’ of Harmony™” and maintenance of normal blood pressure pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services originated from the applicant (E-piim production Ltd). The comments received were related to the evaluation of one human intervention study, data on the mechanism of action and administrative procedural aspects. EFSA has reviewed the scientific 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 18 September 2014, the NDA Panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of “Lactobacillus plantarum TENSIA^® in the semi-hard Edam-type ‘heart cheese’ of Harmony™” and maintenance of normal blood pressure. The comments received do not require any change to the conclusions of the NDA Panel.