Carbohydrates: authorised health claims in Great Britain

Short answer. There are 2 authorised health claims for Carbohydrates on the Great Britain nutrition and health claims register (published 19 May 2026). Each can be used only if your product meets its conditions of use, and in its authorised wording or wording with the same meaning.

The authorised claims, word for word

Authorised claim	Conditions of use
Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function	In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 130 g of carbohydrates from all sources. The claim may be used for food which contains at least 20 g carbohydrates which are metabolised by humans, excluding polyols, per quantified portion and complies with the nutrition claim LOW SUGARS or WITH NO ADDED SUGARS as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The claim shall not be used on food which is 100% sugars.
Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function (contraction) after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle	The claim may be used only for food which provides carbohydrates which are metabolised by humans (excluding polyols). Information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with the consumption of carbohydrates, from all sources, at a total intake of 4 g per kg body weight, at doses, within the first 4 hours and no later than 6 hours, following highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle. The claim may be used only for foods intended for adults who have performed highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.

Authorised claim

Conditions of use

Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function

In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 130 g of carbohydrates from all sources. The claim may be used for food which contains at least 20 g carbohydrates which are metabolised by humans, excluding polyols, per quantified portion and complies with the nutrition claim LOW SUGARS or WITH NO ADDED SUGARS as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The claim shall not be used on food which is 100% sugars.

Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function (contraction) after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle

The claim may be used only for food which provides carbohydrates which are metabolised by humans (excluding polyols). Information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with the consumption of carbohydrates, from all sources, at a total intake of 4 g per kg body weight, at doses, within the first 4 hours and no later than 6 hours, following highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle. The claim may be used only for foods intended for adults who have performed highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.

The claims and conditions are copied from the register. Where the register contradicts itself and the correct reading is shown instead, our note beside the row says so. Check the register itself before you rely on a claim: it is updated from time to time.

Source

Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register, Department of Health and Social Care, published 19 May 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Not legal advice. Last updated: 1 November 2026.