EU rejects DHA to optimize brain development in infants and approve DHA for good vision development

According to foreign media reports, the health claims for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are controversial within the EU. However, EU legal documents have recently included the health claims of DHA's beneficial infants' visual development.

The EU’s recent decision on DHA health claims is as follows:

1. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is beneficial for the normal development of vision in infants and young children under 12 months of age.

Conditions of use: Need to explain to consumers: daily intake of 100mg DHA can exert its health effects. If the health claims are for larger infant formula products, the total amount of fatty acids such as DHA should not be less than 0.3%.

2. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is beneficial for the normal development of visual acuity in both fetuses and breastfed infants.

Conditions of use: need to explain to pregnant women and breastfeeding women: only daily intake of 200 mg of DHA and meet the daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids, ie 250 mg of DHA and docosaenoic acid (EPA) Only when it is in condition can it exert its health effect.

3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is beneficial to the normal development of the fetus and the brains of breastfed infants.

Conditions of use: Need to explain to pregnant and lactating women: only daily intake of 200 mg of DHA and meeting daily recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids, ie 250 mg of DHA and docosaenoic acid (EPA) The conditions can only be used to exert its health effects. The health claim is limited to daily use of foods with at least 200 mg of DHA.

However, the EU eventually rejected DHA's health claim that optimizes brain development in infants and young children. The veto was also included in EU legal documents.