DHA and support of the visual development of the unborn child and breastfed infant Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to DHA and support of the visual development of the unborn child and breastfed infant pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 1 Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies

SUMMARY Following an application from Merck Selbstmedikation GmbH submitted pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to DHA and support of the visual development of the unborn child and breastfed infant. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim referring to children's development and health. The food constituent that is the subject of the proposed claim is docosahexaenoic acid derived from tuna oil which is presented in soft gel capsules which contain >200 mg DHA, >50 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and between 11.4 and 14.4 mg d-α-tocopherol. The food supplement is intended for pregnant and lactating women. DHA is a well characterised fatty acid the absorption of which is well documented. DHA can be quantified in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that the food constituent, DHA, for which the claim is made is sufficiently characterised.