Scientific Opinion on the Substantiation of a Health Claim Related to Iron and Maintenance of Normal Hair Growth Pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

In 2012, the EFSA reviewed a health claim application suggesting a link between iron intake and normal hair growth in non-menopausal women aged 19 to 49 experiencing hair loss. After evaluating five observational studies and one narrative review, the Panel found the evidence insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship. Two studies did not adequately exclude confounding factors, two found no evidence of a relationship, and one study that did suggest a link did not control for other factors that could affect iron status or hair loss. Consequently, the EFSA concluded that the claim that iron intake maintains normal hair growth was not substantiated.