Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to: flavonoids and ascorbic acid in fruit juices, including berry juices (ID 1186); flavonoids from citrus (ID 1471); flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad. (ID 3324, 3325); flavonoids (ID 1470, 1693, 1920); flavonoids in cranberry juice (ID 1804); carotenoids (ID 1496, 1621, 1622, 1796); polyphenols (ID 1636, 1637, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1643); rye bread (ID 1179); protein hydrolysate (ID 1646); carbohydrates with a low/reduced glycaemic load (ID 476, 477, 478, 479, 602) and carbohydrates which induce a low/reduced glycaemic response (ID 727, 1122, 1171); alfalfa (ID 1361, 2585, 2722, 2793); caffeinated carbohydrate-containing energy drinks (ID 1272); and soups (ID 1132, 1133) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

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: flavonoids and ascorbic acid in fruit juices including berry juices, flavonoids from citrus; flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad.; flavonoids; flavonoids in cranberry juice; carotenoids; polyphenols; rye bread; protein hydrolysate; carbohydrates with a low/reduced glycaemic load and carbohydrates which induce a low/reduced glycaemic response; alfalfa; caffeinated carbohydrate-containing energy drinks; and soups. 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 foods/food constituents that are the subject of this opinion are: Flavonoids and ascorbic acid in fruit juices, including berry juices, related to the following claimed effect: antioxidativity (ID 1186). Flavonoids from citrus related to the following claimed effect: vascular health (ID 1471). Flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad. related to the following claimed effect: antibacterial and antifungal activity (ID 3324, 3325). Flavonoids related to the following claimed effects: vein health, antioxidant effect and helps maintain a healthy immune system (ID 1470, 1693, 1920). Flavonoids in cranberry juice related to the following claimed effect: antioxidativity (ID 1804). Carotenoids related to the following claimed effects: antioxidant properties/protection of DNA, health during pregnancy/bioavailability and skin (ID 1496, 1621, 1622, 1796). Polyphenols related to the following claimed effects: antioxidant properties, lipid metabolism, vascular functions and heart health (ID 1636, 1637, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1643). Rye bread related to the following claimed effect: carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity (ID 1179). Protein hydrolysate related to the following claimed effect: insulin secretion and blood sugar levels (ID 1646). Carbohydrates with a low/reduced glycaemic load (ID 476, 477, 478, 479, 602) and carbohydrates which induce a low/reduced glycaemic response (ID 727, 1122, 1171) related to the following claimed effects: impact on blood glucose, glycaemic control, glycaemic response, serum cholesterol levels, satiety, maintenance of a healthy weight, maintain low the glycaemic response, improved blood glucose control and low blood glucose response. Alfalfa related to the following claimed effects: good for your heart, help to maintain cholesterol levels, cardiovascular system, hair and nails health, and hypocholesterolemiant (ID 1361, 2585, 2722, 2793). Caffeinated carbohydrate containing energy drinks related to the following claimed effect: cognitive performance and mood (ID 1272). Soups related to the following claimed effects: weight management and satiety (ID 1132, 1133). The information given in the consolidated list and the references provided did not allow the Panel to characterise the foods/food constituents which are the subject of this opinion. The Panel considers that the foods/food constituents, which are the subject of this opinion, are not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the foods/food constituents, which are the subject of this opinion, and the proposed claimed effects.