Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to spermidine and prolongation of the growing phase (anagen) of the hair cycle pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Giuliani S.p.A., submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Italy, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to spermidine and prolongation of the growing phase (anagen) of the hair cycle. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim referring to a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence and including a request for the protection of proprietary data. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is spermidine, which is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is prolongation of the growing phase (anagen) of the hair cycle. The target population proposed by the applicant is “healthy people affected by chronic telogen effluvium”. Following EFSA’s request to provide a rationale why subjects with chronic telogen effluvium would be an appropriate study population for the scientific substantiation of a health claim intended for the general population, the applicant indicated that telogen effluvium is caused by multifactorial triggers, occurs in both sexes at any age, and that it could be considered to affect the general population. From the evidence provided by the applicant the Panel considers that the claimed effect is related to the treatment of pathological conditions leading to shortening of the anagen phase of hair growth. The Panel concludes that the claimed effect is related to the treatment of a disease and does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.