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 “high fibre sourdough rye bread” and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses 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 “high fibre sourdough rye bread” and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services originated from the applicant (Oy Karl Fazer AB). The comments received were related to the claimed effect evaluated in the opinion, the food considered by the Panel, and the conditions of use which could not be established for the claim. 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 19 September 2014, the NDA Panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of almost any food and a reduction of post-prandial blood glucose responses as compared with glucose. However, the Panel considered that solid foods (including high-fibre sourdough rye bread) are generally not considered as an alternative to glucose solutions. In this context, conditions of use could not be established for this health claim. The comments received do not require any change to the conclusions of the NDA Panel.