SCIENTIFIC OPINION Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin B6 and protein and glycogen metabolism (ID 65, 70, 71), function of the nervous system (ID 66), red blood cell formation (ID 67, 72, 186), function of the immune system (ID 68), regulation of hormonal activity (ID 69) and mental performance (ID 185) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to vitamin B6 and the following claimed effects: protein and glycogen metabolism, function of the nervous system, red blood cell formation, function of the immune system, regulation of hormonal activity and mental performance. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is vitamin B6, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that vitamin B6 is sufficiently characterised. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin B6 and normal protein and glycogen metabolism, normal function of the nervous system, normal red blood cell formation, normal function of the immune system and regulation of hormonal activity. The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of vitamin B6 leading to impaired function of the above health relationships occurs in the general EU population. The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claims, a food should be at least a source of vitamin B6 as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population. The Panel considers that the claim for vitamin B6 and mental performance encourages excess consumption of vitamin B6 and therefore does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.