Choline and contribution to normal liver function of the foetus and exclusively breastfed infants: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

. 2023 Jul 26;21(7):e08115. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8115

Contributor/Organisation	Comment and reply
Veterinary animal feed hygiene (Iran)	Comment: ‘Choline is part of group B vitamins. Choline is necessary for metabolism and fat metabolism and is used to burn fat in the body. This article is very important. If the amount of choline in the body is too low, excess fat accumulates in the liver. Choline is a water‐soluble substance. Choline is not a vitamin or mineral, but it is known as a part of the B vitamins (B complex) and is thought to be the same as vitamin B4. A very small amount of choline is made in the liver, but the body's needs must be met by consuming substances that are among the best sources of choline. Choline plays a very important role in metabolism and fat metabolism; Therefore, it is a substance that is used to burn fat in the body. If its amount in the body is low, excess fat accumulates in the liver and causes fatty liver and obesity. Best Choline Sources: Choline, or vitamin B4, is found in foods such as eggs, meat, fish, chicken and whole grains. Since the daily consumption of choline is necessary for men and women, we explain this vitamin in each food item so that you know the best sources of choline better’. Attachment contains the full commentary, of which only the paragraphs relevant to this opinion appear above as submitted. The remaining parts of the commentary refer to food safety aspects and animal feed, which are out of the scope of the scientific assessment of health claims made on foods. Reply: Biological functions and food sources of choline are described in the Scientific Opinion on DRVs for choline (EFSA NDA Panel, 2016), which has been used as a basis for both the characterisation of the food/constituent and the scientific substantiation of the claim in this opinion. No change to the opinion was introduced on the basis of this comment.

Contributor/Organisation

Comment and reply

Veterinary animal feed hygiene (Iran)

Comment: ‘Choline is part of group B vitamins. Choline is necessary for metabolism and fat metabolism and is used to burn fat in the body. This article is very important. If the amount of choline in the body is too low, excess fat accumulates in the liver. Choline is a water‐soluble substance. Choline is not a vitamin or mineral, but it is known as a part of the B vitamins (B complex) and is thought to be the same as vitamin B4. A very small amount of choline is made in the liver, but the body's needs must be met by consuming substances that are among the best sources of choline. Choline plays a very important role in metabolism and fat metabolism; Therefore, it is a substance that is used to burn fat in the body. If its amount in the body is low, excess fat accumulates in the liver and causes fatty liver and obesity.

Best Choline Sources:

Choline, or vitamin B4, is found in foods such as eggs, meat, fish, chicken and whole grains. Since the daily consumption of choline is necessary for men and women, we explain this vitamin in each food item so that you know the best sources of choline better’.

Attachment contains the full commentary, of which only the paragraphs relevant to this opinion appear above as submitted. The remaining parts of the commentary refer to food safety aspects and animal feed, which are out of the scope of the scientific assessment of health claims made on foods.

Reply: Biological functions and food sources of choline are described in the Scientific Opinion on DRVs for choline (EFSA NDA Panel, 2016), which has been used as a basis for both the characterisation of the food/constituent and the scientific substantiation of the claim in this opinion. No change to the opinion was introduced on the basis of this comment.