The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) is urging the Health Minister to review the use of the term ‘probiotic’ and allow the term to be used on pack.
In an open letter to Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the HFMA asked that she reviews use of the term ‘probiotic’ and makes the necessary changes to allow the term to be used on pack. Although considered an unauthorised health claim in the UK, there are now 11 EU countries who use the term and a wide understanding by the general public and health professionals of what the term means.
The HFMA explained that with many clinicians and health professionals often recommending the use of probiotics, the fact that the consumer or patient cannot easily find a product with probiotic on the label is a considerable barrier to the aims of the practitioner seeking to provide preventative healthcare and supplementation to support a treatment protocol. It said that building a healthier population and preventative healthcare are key factors in government policy in helping to reduce the burden on the NHS. We consider that making these supplements easily identifiable for the population is a key factor in supporting this.
The open letter also highlights the fact that around 70 per cent of iron-deficient adults in the UK are menstruating women. This is well-established science, recognised by public health authorities. Businesses are nonetheless prevented from directing clear, evidence-based information at that group. The women most likely to need that information are the least likely to receive it.
Reviewing and modernising the guidance on health communications to allow responsible, evidence-based information to reach the groups most likely to benefit could have a significant impact whist not requiring massive legislative changes, the HFMA said. The organisation added that the change in guidance would not require a change in UK law; a straightforward change to UK guidance could reclassify ‘probiotic’ and the other ‘biotic terms (including prebiotic and postbiotic) as falling within mandatory labelling requirements.
Martin Last, Director General at the HFMA, commented: “Current regulations make it difficult for responsible businesses to explain which groups are at higher risk of deficiency, even when the science is unambiguous and public health bodies recognise the need. In the case of probiotics, the understanding by the consumer of the term ‘probiotics’, is extremely high. Probiotics are often recommended by health professionals, and it is frustrating to know that individual cannot readily find these products on the shelf.
“We have been discussing this issue with the Government for a long time and would hope that the Secretary of State sees our argument to be a valid one, especially as no change in the law is required to enact the change in the guidelines. Despite being safe, widely used and recommended in healthcare settings, probiotics can’t be communicated clearly to the public, leaving people without the basic information they need to support their gut health and overall wellbeing.”
The letter calls on Ministers to review the interpretive guidance on probiotic terminology, bringing UK practice into line with scientific consensus and comparable countries, and to modernise guidance on health communication to allow responsible, evidence-based information to reach the groups most likely to benefit. Neither ask requires primary legislation. Both would make a practical difference to the health of the nation and support health professionals.
