EDA calls for European Parliament support for new rules on Total Diet Replacement

10-Sep-2017 - Last updated on 13-Sep-2017 at 05:09 GMT

The EDA and EWPA are calling for European Parliament support on total diet replacement regulations.

The EU dairy sector represented by EDA (European Dairy Association) and supported by EWPA (the European Whey Processors Association) has backed the new rules on slimming foods/total diet replacement (TDR) proposed by the European Commission.

In particular, it says, it supports the new recommended minimum protein content of 75 g/day for TDR products.

This protein recommendation reflects the latest science as stated in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific Opinion. Given the EFSA conclusions, EDA and EWPA highlight that a minimum protein content at 75g/day would ensure that TDR products are safe and efficacious for their intended use.

The EDA said the particular importance of the new regulation for the dairy sector is that, for the first time, protein quality has been acknowledged in the European Regulation.

High quality protein

In addition, the new regulation also establishes a link between the need for high quality protein diets for weight reduction and control.

Alexander Anton, EDA secretary general, said the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament has supported the new rules on TDR.

“It therefore comes as a surprise to us that, despite a clear support in the ENVI Committee and the publication of the final text of the Regulation, the rule 105 (3) procedure is now used by the opponents to the new rules on TDR as a last attempt to challenge the TDR Regulation at the next EP Plenary meeting on Wednesday, September 13,” Anton said.

Negligible cost increase

Bénédicte Masure, EWPA secretary general, added the organization has analysed in detail all concerns raised by manufacturers of TDR on the price and consumer taste acceptability, and it believes that the cost increase, if any, would be negligible (5 cents/meal cost).

“If added costs and profit margins through the manufacture and supply chain are simply maintained (fixed) in absolute terms, then the possible 5 cents/meal cost increase seems modest when considering the step change in nutritional value and the consequential health benefits for the consumer,” Masure said.

“We are sure that the taste of products will not be negatively affected by the increase of protein content as milk and whey protein have a clean and neutral taste appreciated by the consumers.”

Expecting MEP support

Anton added that by using high quality dairy proteins, it is possible to align TDR products with the latest nutritional recommendations.

The main purpose of TDR products, he said, is to help overweight and obese adults to lose weight in a healthy way.

“The EFSA scientific opinion concludes that minimum daily protein intake of 75 g/day should be provided by TDR in order to achieve this objective. We really expect the MEPs to fully support the new Regulation on TDR which is in line with the latest science.”