Cranberries Are Not Medical Devices

The European Commission decided that cranberry products are not medical devices, according to a recent article published by Regulatory Affairs Professional Society. While this seems to state the obvious, products containing cranberry or cranberry extract are sometimes marketed as medical devices across the EU. Their mechanism of action involves proanthocyanidins (PAC), a class of polyphenols known to prevent and treat urinary tract infections. The committee’s decision applies to products that rely primarily on PAC to accomplish intended outcomes and will likely come into effect later this summer.