Sugarsweet, sugargood, sugarbad

According to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, health claims on labels and in the presentation of products or advertising are prohibited unless they comply with the regulation and are authorised and are included on the list of authorised claims.

  • glucose is metabolised within the body’s normal energy metabolism’;
  • ‘glucose supports normal physical activity’;
  • ‘ glucose contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism’;
  • ‘glucose contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism during exercise’; and
  • ‘glucose contributes to normal muscle function’

were not authorised for glucose, like the classic dextro energy cube.

The Commission refused to authorise those health claims. The Commission took the view that the health claims in question conveyed a contradictory and ambiguous message to consumers, as they encouraged the consumption of sugar, whereas national and international authorities recommended a reduction in sugar intake, on the basis of generally accepted scientific advice.

The ECJ in C-296/16P confirmed: Since, according to generally accepted nutrition and health principles, the average consumer must reduce his or her sugar consumption, the Commission did not err in finding that the health claims in question, which highlight only the beneficial effects of glucose for energy metabolism without mentioning the dangers inherent in increased sugar consumption, were ambiguous and misleading and could not therefore be authorised.