Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to rapeseed oil and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 580, 581, 1408) and maintenance of normal blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 1408) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)

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 rapeseed oil and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations and maintenance of normal blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations. 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 food that is the subject of the health claims is rapeseed oil. The Panel considers that rapeseed oil is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects. Maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations The claimed effects are "cardiovascular system" and "Einfach ungesattigte Fettsauren senken im Austausch gegen gesattigte Fettsauren das Gesamt-und LDL-Cholesterin signifikant. Der LDL/HDLQuotient sinkt bei einer monoensaurereichen Kost signifikant". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings and clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to the maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect. No studies that investigated whether rapeseed oil has an LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect beyond what could be expected from its fatty acid composition have been provided. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of rapeseed oil and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations beyond what could be expected from the fatty acid composition of rapeseed oil. A claim on the replacement of mixtures of SFAs with cis-MUFAs and/or cis-PUFAs in foods or diets and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations has already been assessed with a favourable outcome. A claim on linoleic acid and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations and a claim on alpha-linolenic acid and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations have also already been assessed with favourable outcomes. Maintenance of normal blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations The claimed effect is "Einfach ungesattigte Fettsauren senken im Austausch gegen gesattigte Fettsauren das Gesamt-und LDL-Cholesterin signifikant. Der LDL/HDL-Quotient sinkt bei einer monoensaurereichen Kost signifikant". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings and clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of normal blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal HDL-cholesterol concentrations (without increasing LDL-cholesterol concentrations) is a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that MUFAs and PUFAs, when replacing SFAs, tend to decrease HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and that rapeseed oil does not significantly increase HDL-cholesterol concentrations compared to other oils (e.g. olive oil or sunflower oil). The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of rapeseed oil and maintenance of normal blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations.