In 2011, Dextro Energy, a company that produces energy tablets
made up almost entirely of glucose sugar, requested authorization
under the European Commission's ("EC") Health Claims Regulation to use the following
health claims in advertising its products: "glucose is
metabolized within the body's normal energy metabolism,"
"glucose contributes to normal energy yielding
metabolism," "glucose supports physical activity,"
"glucose contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism
during exercise," and "glucose contributes to normal
muscle function during exercise." Although the European Food
Safety Authority ("EFSA") considered that a
cause-and-effect link could be established between the consumption
of glucose and normal energy-yielding metabolism, the EC refused to
authorize such health claims in January 2015. The EC claimed the
requested health claims conveyed a contradictory and ambiguous
message to consumers, encouraging the consumption of sugar, which
should instead be reduced. On March 16, 2016, the EU General Court
confirmed the EC's decision.
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