Dietmar Stippler1, Volker Bode2, Magnus Fischer3, Katrin Kollex4, Evelyn Rohde5, Berta Tisowsky6, Jana Künstner7, Norbert Pahne8. 1. Nutricia GmbH Erlangen, Allee am Roethelheimpark 11, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: dietmar.stippler@nutricia.com. 2. Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition GmbH, Lyoner Strasse 23, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. 3. Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Else-Kröner-Str. 1, D-61352 Bad Homburg, Germany. 4. GHD GesundHeits GmbH Deutschland, Fritz-Reuter-Str. 2, D-22926 Ahrensburg, Germany. 5. Assist GmbH, In der Bruchwies 10, D-66663 Merzig, Germany. 6. Nutricia GmbH, Bahnstr. 14-30, D-61381 Friedrichsdorf, Germany. 7. BVMed - German Medical Technology Association, Reinhardtstr. 29 b, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. 8. Diaetverband e.V. - Federal Association of Producers of Food for Special Dietary Purposes, Godesberger Allee 142-148, D-53175 Bonn, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Changes in the EU regulation on food for specific groups (FSG) [1] and within the German social law [2] combined with various definitions in the legal and the scientific background led to the need for development of a categorization system for "Food for special medical purposes" (FSMP) for enteral use [3]. METHODS: The system was developed by an interdisciplinary working group of two German industry associations, which represent the leading manufacturers and distributors of FSMP in Europe. It aims to minimize the misunderstandings surrounding the different definitions used in relation to enteral nutritional products and incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and medical guidelines [4]. RESULTS: The new proposal consists of a table which shows the product categories and briefly the definitions of the used terms. The text contains the relevant definitions of terms often used within the field of enteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: This provides health care professionals with support and the decision making process for the prescription and use of such products. Additionally it also benefits the responsible authorities to formulate new directives, which are user-friendly and reflect the latest knowledge in medical nutrition.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Changes in the EU regulation on food for specific groups (FSG) [1] and within the German social law [2] combined with various definitions in the legal and the scientific background led to the need for development of a categorization system for "Food for special medical purposes" (FSMP) for enteral use [3]. METHODS: The system was developed by an interdisciplinary working group of two German industry associations, which represent the leading manufacturers and distributors of FSMP in Europe. It aims to minimize the misunderstandings surrounding the different definitions used in relation to enteral nutritional products and incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and medical guidelines [4]. RESULTS: The new proposal consists of a table which shows the product categories and briefly the definitions of the used terms. The text contains the relevant definitions of terms often used within the field of enteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: This provides health care professionals with support and the decision making process for the prescription and use of such products. Additionally it also benefits the responsible authorities to formulate new directives, which are user-friendly and reflect the latest knowledge in medical nutrition.