Health Claims for Protein Food Supplements for Athletes—The Analysis Is in Accordance with the EFSA’s Scientific Opinion
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Sports Food Supplements
1.2. Sports Food Supplements, Scientific Evidence and Legislation
1.3. Protein Supplements
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Type of Study
2.2. Study Population Selection Strategy
2.3. Inclusion Criteria
2.4. Data Extraction
- Product name: name of each of the supplements belonging to the study sample;
- Sportsbramd: brand name of each supplement in the sample. The SFSs in the sample were defined (Appendix A);
- Health claims for protein supplements: those present on the product’s technical data sheet or company website of each of the supplements in the requested sample;
- Dosage: amount of product consumed, as recommended by the manufacturer in each supplement;
- Nutritional information: value of nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and salt in each of the supplements in the sample.
2.5. Data Analysis
- Approved health claims: EFSA-approved health claims for proteins;
- Total supplements in which this statement is made (no. and %): total number and percentage of supplements in the sample in which this statement is made;
- Comply with the conditions of use: conditions based on Regulation (EC) No. 432/2012 [28];
- Number and percentage of supplements in which these conditions of use are met for this claim: number and percentage of supplements in the sample in which the conditions of use are met for each claim;
- Unauthorized health claims. Relation to health: health claims not authorized by the EFSA for whey and casein proteins;
- Health claims stated on the product or on the company’s website: health claims stated on each of the supplements in the sample;
- Number and percentage of supplements in the sample where the claim appears, either on the product or the company’s website Adequacy yes/no: whether the health claims of each of the supplements in the sample conform to the health claims defined by the EFSA;
- Reason: according to the EFSA’s scientific opinion, the reason for compliance or non-compliance and the proposed modification of the supplements in the sample to achieve a better adaptation to the approved health claims. Number 1 to 5, from non-compliant to compliant, respectively. Number 1. Reason: not in accordance with the approved protein claims and the recommended appropriate dosage of the product. Proposed modification: delete product claim. Number 2: Reason: Conforms to the recommended appropriate dosage of the product, but the text of the statement indicated does not conform to the approved one. Proposed modification: modify the declaration by specifying the exact text of the approved declaration Number 3. Reason: Conforms to the appropriate recommended dosage of the product, but the text of the approved statement is missing. Modification proposal: modify the statement by specifying the exact text of the approved statement. Number 4. Reason: Conforms to the appropriate recommended dosage of the product, but some words in the text of the declaration need to be changed. Proposal for amendment: amend the declaration by specifying the exact text of the approved declaration. Number 5. Reason: Conforms to all of the above. Proposed modification: do not modify or delete the declaration.
2.6. Compliance with Legislation and Scientific Evidence
3. Results
3.1. Indicated Conditions of Use of the Product
3.2. Health Claims Not Authorized by the EFSA
3.3. Health Claims, and Compliance with Current European Legislation and Scientific Evidence
3.4. Degree of Compliance and Proposals for Modifications
4. Discussion
4.1. Health Claims and Proposed Dosages
4.2. Fraud in Advertising and Direct Consumer Information
4.3. Action to Be Taken in the Face of Advertising Fraud
4.4. Cases of Advertising Fraud
4.5. Limitations of the Study
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
AESAN | Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition |
AIS | Australian Institute of Sport |
ATP | Adenosine Triphosphate |
AUC | Association of Communication Users |
Autocontrol | Association for the Self-Regulation of Commercial Communication |
EFSA | European Food Safety Authority |
IOC | International Olympic Committee |
ISSN | International Society of Sports Nutrition |
SFS | Sports food supplements |
WADA | World Anti-Doping Agency |
Appendix A
Health Claims Stated on the Product or Company Website | Supplement Company |
---|---|
Protein contributes to muscle mass increase |
|
Proteins contribute to the growth and development of muscle mass. |
|
Protein source that helps to increase muscle mass |
|
Contributes to growth, increase, development, gain of muscle mass |
|
Protein (100% casein, whey protein, protein content) contributes to the growth, increase of muscle mass. |
|
(favors, aids, supports, promotes, fosters, perfect for) muscle growth |
|
Promotes muscle building |
|
(Helps, favors) muscle gain, muscle mass |
|
(Helps, favors, promotes) muscle development, muscle mass |
|
Objective to gain, develop muscle mass |
|
Designed to help you build muscle |
|
To increase muscle mass |
|
Can improve the development of muscle growth |
|
To accelerate muscle building |
|
Protein helps to maintain muscle mass |
|
Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass |
|
They contribute to the maintenance, maintenance of muscle mass, muscle |
|
To help maintain, regenerate muscle, muscle mass |
|
Proteins are important for the maintenance of our muscles. |
|
Muscle maintenance |
|
Sustained supply of amino acids to prevent loss of muscle mass |
|
Protein (100% Whey Isolate, 100% casein, whey protein) contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. |
|
Prevents muscle mass/tone loss |
|
Promotes muscle retention |
|
To feed your muscles |
|
For nocturnal muscle support |
|
Muscle definition |
|
Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. |
|
Source of protein that contributes to the maintenance of bones in a proper state. |
|
100% casein protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. |
|
100% Whey Isolate protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bone structure. |
|
Protein content contributes to the maintenance of proper bone health |
|
Contributes to the maintenance of bones in normal conditions. |
|
Whey protein helps to maintain a normal bone system. |
|
Maintenance of healthy bones |
|
Development of your bone health |
|
Can help you maintain healthy bones |
|
Promotes bones |
|
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EFSA | Terms and Conditions of Use | Statement to Be Indicated |
---|---|---|
Regulation (EC) No. 432/2012 [28] Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 [29] | a. Foods that are at least a source of protein: provide at least 12% of the food’s energy value. | Protein contributes to muscle mass increase |
Regulation (EC) No. 432/2012 [28] Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 [29] | b. Foods that are at least a source of protein: they provide at least 12% of the energy value of the food. | Protein helps to maintain muscle mass |
Regulation (EC) No. 432/2012 [28] Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 [29] | c. Foods that are at least a source of protein: they provide at least 12% of the energy value of the food. | Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. |
Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 [29] | d. If the proteins provide at least 20% of the energy value of the food. | High protein content 1 |
Approved Health Claim | Total Supplements in Which This Statement Is Given | Comply Terms and Conditions of Use * | No. and % Supplements in Which This Dosage Is Given for This Statement | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO. | (%) | ||||
Protein contributes to muscle mass increase | 99 | 97.1% | Complies a. | 99 | 1100% |
Protein helps to maintain muscle mass | 79 | 77.5% | Complies b. | 79 | 100% |
Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. | 31 | 30.4% | Complies c. | 31 | 100% |
Unauthorized Health Claims * Relationship to Health | Health Claims of the Product or Company Website | No. of Supplements Where the Statement Appears | % Supplements Where the Statement Appears |
---|---|---|---|
Whey protein: Faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise | Promotes muscle recovery | 5 | 7.9% |
Post-workout recovery | 7 | 11.1% | |
Improve recovery | 4 | 6.3% | |
Whey protein: increased endurance capacity during the next bout of exercise after strenuous exercise. | Supports muscle growth for even better performance | 4 | 6.3% |
Objective: Resistance | 1 | 1.6% | |
Improved sports performance | 4 | 6.3% | |
Improved performance and fast recovery from workouts | 1 | 1.6% | |
Whey protein: skeletal muscle tissue repair | Whey protein benefits muscle fiber recovery | 2 | 3.2% |
Recommended for those looking to recover their muscle tissues after training. | 2 | 3.2% | |
Tissue recovery | 2 | 3.2% | |
Key amino acids for proper muscle function and recovery | 1 | 1.6% | |
Whey protein: growth or maintenance of muscle mass | Whey protein benefits muscle growth | 1 | 1.6% |
Whey protein target muscle development muscle maintenance and recovery | 1 | 1.6% | |
Whey protein with amino acids helps increase muscle mass and supports muscle tissue maintenance. | 1 | 1.6% | |
Whey protein for muscle volume increase | 2 | 3.2% | |
Whey protein: increase in muscle strength | Improves strength | 1 | 1.6% |
Increased strength | 2 | 3.2% | |
Whey protein: reduction of body fat mass during energy restriction and resistance training. | Supports fat loss | 1 | 1.6% |
Whey protein: increased satiety leading to reduced energy intake | Helps to reduce appetite, soothe the desire to eat | 1 | 1.6% |
Whey protein: growth or maintenance of muscle mass | Stimulate protein synthesis, the process that causes muscles to grow because the amino acids it contains are transported to the muscles through the bloodstream | 1 | 1.6% |
Your protein synthesis is accelerated and your body is able to build muscle. | 2 | 3.2% | |
Whey protein: increased satiety leading to reduced energy intake | Satiety control | 1 | 1.6% |
Weight loss | 1 | 1.6% | |
Helps reduce appetite | 2 | 3.2% | |
Whey protein: faster recovery from post-exercise muscle fatigue | A premium quality whey protein isolate formulated to feed your muscles fast, so you can recover faster. | 1 | 1.6% |
Casein: Growth or maintenance of muscle mass | Perfect micellar casein to prevent catabolization | 3 | 4.8% |
Prevents muscle catabolism | 1 | 1.6% | |
Promotes muscle recovery | 6 | 9.5% | |
Promotes recovery of damaged fibers against catabolism. | 1 | 1.6% | |
Hydrolyzed Casein: faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise | Supplies the amino acids your body needs to recover while you sleep | 1 | 1.6% |
Approved Health Claim | Health Claims of the Product or Company Website | No. of Supplements Where the Statement Appears | % Supplements Where the Statement Appears | Degree of Adequacy * |
---|---|---|---|---|
Protein contributes to muscle mass increase | Protein contributes to muscle mass increase | 7 | 3.3% | Yes |
Protein contributes to the growth and development of muscle mass. | 16 | 7.7% | Yes | |
Protein source that helps to increase muscle mass | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
Contributes (to the growth, increase, development, gain) of muscle mass | 15 | 7.2% | No | |
Protein (100% casein, whey protein, protein content) contributes to the growth, increase of muscle mass. | 9 | 4.3% | No | |
(favors, assists, supports, promotes, encourages, perfect for) muscle growth | 13 | 6.2% | No | |
Promotes muscle building | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
(Helps, favors) muscle gain, muscle mass | 4 | 1.9% | No | |
(Helps, favors, promotes) muscle development, muscle mass | 21 | 10.0% | No | |
Objective to gain, develop muscle mass | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
Designed to help you build muscle | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
To increase muscle mass | 5 | 2.4% | No | |
Can improve the development of muscle growth | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
To accelerate muscle building | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Proteins help to preserve muscle mass | Protein helps to maintain muscle mass | 6 | 2.9% | Yes |
Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass | 18 | 8.6% | Yes | |
Contribute to the maintenance, maintenance of muscle mass, muscle | 6 | 2.9% | No | |
To help maintain, regenerate muscle, muscle mass | 21 | 10.0% | No | |
Proteins are important for the maintenance of our muscles. | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Muscle maintenance | 8 | 3.8% | No | |
Sustained supply of amino acids to prevent loss of muscle mass | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Protein (100% Whey Isolate, 100% casein, whey protein) contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. | 10 | 4.8% | No | |
Prevents muscle mass/tone loss | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Promotes muscle retention | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
To feed your muscles | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
For nocturnal muscle support | 4 | 1.9% | No | |
Muscle definition | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. | Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. | 11 | 5.3% | Yes |
Source of protein that contributes to the maintenance of bones in a proper state. | 2 | 1.0% | Yes | |
100% casein protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
100% Whey Isolate protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bone structure. | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
Protein content contributes to the maintenance of proper bone health | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Contributes to the maintenance of bones in normal conditions. | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
Whey protein helps to maintain a normal bone system. | 7 | 3.3% | No | |
Maintenance of healthy bones | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Development of your bone health | 2 | 1.0% | No | |
Can help you maintain healthy bones | 1 | 0.5% | No | |
Promotes bones | 1 | 0.5% | No |
Approved Nutritional Statements | Nutrition Claims Stated on the Product or Company Website | No. of Supplements Where the Statement Appears | % Supplements Where the Statement Appears | Degree of Adequacy 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
High protein content | High protein content | 2 | 66.6% | Yes |
Contains high protein | 1 | 33.3% | Yes |
Messages Indicated in the Product or Company Website | No. of Supplements Where the Message Appears | % Supplements Where the Message Appears |
---|---|---|
Increased protein | 1 | 16.7% |
Providing the necessary protein value to the diet | 1 | 16.7% |
Highly concentrated and balanced whey protein. | 1 | 16.7% |
Ideal for increasing your protein intake | 2 | 33.3% |
Protein synthesis | 1 | 16.7% |
Property Statement Healthy Approved | Total Supplements in Which This Statement Is Given | Comply with Conditions of Use | No. of Supplements Where the Conditions of Use Are Met | % Supplements Where the Conditions of Use for This Statement Are Met | Degree of Adequacy Statement Yes/No | Reason * | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO. | Total | ||||||
Protein contributes to muscle mass increase | 99 | 97.1% | Yes | 25 | 25.3% | Yes | 5 |
Yes | 15 | 15.2% | No | 4 | |||
Yes | 58 | 58.6% | No | 3 | |||
Yes | 1 | 1% | No | 2 | |||
Protein helps to maintain muscle mass | 79 | 77.5% | Yes | 24 | 30.4% | Yes | 5 |
Yes | 27 | 34.2% | No | 4 | |||
Yes | 21 | 26.6% | No | 3 | |||
Yes | 7 | 8.9% | No | 2 | |||
Proteins contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. | 31 | 30.4% | Yes | 11 | 35.5% | Yes | 5 |
Yes | 12 | 38.7% | No | 4 | |||
Yes | 4 | 12.9% | No | 3 | |||
Yes | 4 | 12.9 | No | 2 |
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Share and Cite
Rodríguez-Hernández, M.D.; Martínez-Sanz, J.M.; García, C.J.; Gabaldón, J.A.; Ferreres, F.; Escribano, M.; Giménez-Monzó, D.; Gil-Izquierdo, Á. Health Claims for Protein Food Supplements for Athletes—The Analysis Is in Accordance with the EFSA’s Scientific Opinion. Nutrients 2025, 17, 1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111923
Rodríguez-Hernández MD, Martínez-Sanz JM, García CJ, Gabaldón JA, Ferreres F, Escribano M, Giménez-Monzó D, Gil-Izquierdo Á. Health Claims for Protein Food Supplements for Athletes—The Analysis Is in Accordance with the EFSA’s Scientific Opinion. Nutrients. 2025; 17(11):1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111923
Chicago/Turabian StyleRodríguez-Hernández, María Dolores, José Miguel Martínez-Sanz, Carlos Javier García, José Antonio Gabaldón, Federico Ferreres, Miguel Escribano, Daniel Giménez-Monzó, and Ángel Gil-Izquierdo. 2025. "Health Claims for Protein Food Supplements for Athletes—The Analysis Is in Accordance with the EFSA’s Scientific Opinion" Nutrients 17, no. 11: 1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111923
APA StyleRodríguez-Hernández, M. D., Martínez-Sanz, J. M., García, C. J., Gabaldón, J. A., Ferreres, F., Escribano, M., Giménez-Monzó, D., & Gil-Izquierdo, Á. (2025). Health Claims for Protein Food Supplements for Athletes—The Analysis Is in Accordance with the EFSA’s Scientific Opinion. Nutrients, 17(11), 1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111923