The Community has adopted rules for certain foods intended for weight reduction . Commission Directive 96/8/EC of 26 February 1996 on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction lays down compositional and labelling requirements for foods presented for use in energy restricted diets that are total daily diet replacement or individual meal replacement for weight control.

The compositional criteria include energy, protein quantity and quality, fat quantity and type, minimum and maximum levels for dietary fibre and minimum levels for certain vitamins and mineral. Nutritional substances that may be used in the manufacture of these products are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 953/2009.

Commission Directive 2007/29/EC of 30 May 2007 amends Directive 96/8/EC to adapt its rules to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. Through this Directive it is now also allowed to make claims referring to a reduction in the sense of hunger or an increase in the sense of satiety if the claims comply with EU legislation.

Scientific advice

Report on foods intended for weight control diets (expressed on 19 October 1990) .