EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2014. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to cytidine 5 -diphosphocholine and maintenance of normal vision pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Omikron Italia S.r.l. submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Italy, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to cytidine 5-diphosphocholine and maintenance of normal vision.

The Panel considers that the food constituent cytidine 5-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline or citicoline), which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect, maintenance of normal vision, is a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from the three narrative reviews and the eight human intervention studies provided by the applicant for the scientific substantiation of the claim.

The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of CDP-choline and maintenance of normal vision.