Vitamin E and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Specialised Nutrition Europe (formerl y IDACE), submitted forauthorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via theCompetent Authority of France, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) wasasked to deliver an opinion on the scienti fic substa ntiation of a health claim related to vitamin E andprotection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxid ative dam age. The Panel consider s that vitamin E issufficiently characterised and that protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is abeneficial physiological effect. The target population proposed by the applicant is infants (from birth)and young children up to 3 years of age. The Panel has pre viously assessed a claim on vitamin E andprotection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage with a favourable outcome. The targetpopulation was the general population. The Panel considers that the role of vitamin E in protection ofDNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage applies to all ages, including infants and youngchildren up to 3 years of age. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has beenestablished between the dietary intake of vitamin E and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids fromoxidative damage.