EFSA panel OKs GSK's 'toothkind' drink health claim

PARMA, Italy — The European Food Safety Authority has granted GlaxoSmithKline a positive opinion for a health claim related to its "toothkind" drinks, according to BeverageDaily.com, an online news service.

According to the report, the EFSA panel ruled that a cause-and-effect connection could be established between "toothkind" drinks and reduced demineralization, but only when they are consumed in place of high quantities of juice or sugary drinks.

According to the report, the panel suggested the following wording for a health claim: "Frequent consumption of typical juice drinks and sugar-containing, acidic, nonalcoholic beverages may contribute to tooth demineralization; consumption of 'toothkind' juice drinks in replacement of typical juice drinks and sugar-containing, nonalcoholic beverages may help to reduce tooth demineralization."