SCIENTIFIC OPINION Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to manganese and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 309), maintenance of bone (ID 310), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 311), and cognitive function (ID 340) 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 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to manganese and the following claimed effects: protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, maintenance of bone, energy-yielding metabolism, and cognitive function. 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 manganese, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that manganese is sufficiently characterised. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of manganese and the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, the maintenance of normal bone, and normal energy-yielding metabolism. The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of manganese leading to impaired functions of the above-mentioned 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 manganese as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of manganese and normal cognitive function.