The food constituent at the subject of the health claim was collagen hydrolysate.

The panel considered that the collagen hydrolysate was sufficiently characterized. The claimed effect was “maintenance of joint health.” The target population as proposed by the applicant was physically active people. The panel considered that the maintenance of joints was a beneficial physiological effect.

The applicant provided one narrative review, three intervention studies in humans, one animal study, two in vitro studies, and two bioavailability studies as pertinent to the claim. The narrative review did not contain any primary data pertinent to the claim. One of the human studies was conducted in patients, while another study was not controlled, and no scientific conclusions could be drawn from these studies for the substantiation of the claimed effect.

One trial in 147 active student athletes evaluated a total of 15 parameters related to joint pain/discomfort. There were no significant differences between groups for any endpoint when significance levels were adjusted for multiple comparisons. In weighing the evidence, the panel took into account that one study in physically active humans did not show an effect of collagen hydrolysate on joint discomfort, and that studies in animals and in vitro do not predict an effect of collagen hydrolysate on maintenance of joints in humans in vivo.

The panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship had not been established between the consumption of collagen hydrolysate and maintenance of joints.

From the July 20, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.