Foodstuffs intended to satisfy particular nutritional requirements of specific groups of the population are called "foods for particular nutritional uses", "dietetic foods" or "dietary foods". Where appropriate rules for the composition, marketing and labelling of specific groups of dietetic foods have been adopted by the European Union.

The Community has adopted rules for certain foods intended for weight reduction. Commission Directive 96/8/EC of 26 February 1996 on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction lays down compositional and labelling requirements for food presented for use in energy restricted diets for weight reduction.

The Directive lays down labelling and compositional criteria for products that are total daily diet replacement or individual meal replacement for weight control. The compositional criteria include energy, protein quantity and quality, fat quantity and type, minimum and maximum levels for dietary fibre and minimum levels for certain vitamins and minerals is based on the advice (see below) of the SCF. Sources of nutritional substances that can be used in these products are given in Commission Directive 2001/15/EC

Scientific advice

Report of the Scientific Committee for Food on foods intended for weight control diets (expressed on 19 October 1990).