According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Official Journal of the European Union, in the last quarter of 2024, EFSA published assessment results for five Novel Foods (NF), including the application for two new NF and the modification for three novel food already authorized. Additionally, EFSA requested scientific and technical assistance regarding the evaluation of one Novel Food.
In addition, the EU approved two NF in the last quarter of 2024, including amendments to the specifications and conditions of use of one already authorized NF.
This article provides a summary of the EU EFSA Novel Food application and approval status for the last quarter of 2024, for the reference of businesses.
New NF application
1. Glucosyl hesperidin
- Applicant: Hayashibara Co., Ltd. (Application submitted on March 26, 2021)
- Specifications:
Description: A pale yellow to yellow-brown powder produced enzymatically from hesperidin and dextrin. | |
Parameter | Specification |
General | |
Monoglucosyl hesperidin (MGH) (dry basis) | 75.0%–85.0% |
Hesperidin (dry basis) | 10%–20% |
Loss on drying | ≤ 6% |
Residue on ignition | ≤ 2% |
Heavy metals | |
Lead | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
Arsenic | ≤ 1.5 mg/kg |
Microbiological | |
TAMC | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
Total coliforms | Not detected in 10 g |
Salmonella spp. | Not detected in 25 g |
Yeast and moulds | < 100 CFU/g |
*Abbreviations: CFU, colony forming units; TAMC, total aerobic microbial count.
- Proposed uses
- Target population: the general population, except for food supplements for which the proposed target population is children from one year onwards and adults.
- Proposed uses and Proposed use levels
Food category | Max use level |
Food supplements | 200 mg/day for the general population older than 10 years 115 mg/day for children between 3 and 10 years of age 60 mg/day for young children between 1 and 3 years of age |
Functional drinksa | 525 mg/L |
a This food category includes: energy drinks, isotonic and sport drinks and fermented functional drinks (i.e. ‘fermented non-alcoholic drinks with exclusion of dairy fermented drinks)’. The use of this code does not indicate a health claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
- Conclusions: The Panel concludes that the NF, glucosyl hesperidin, is safe for the target population at the proposed uses and use levels.
2. Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) oil
- Applicant: Tigernuts traders, S.L. (Application submitted on October 29, 2020)
- Specifications:
Description: The NF is obtained from a cold-pressing process of tiger nuts Source: Cyperus esculentus | ||
Parameter | Specification | |
Fatty acid composition | ||
Palmitic acid | 12.0%–15% | |
Stearic acid | 5%–8% | |
Oleic acid | 65%- 69% | |
Linoleic acid | 9%-12% | |
Heavy metals | ||
Lead | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg | |
Cadmium | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg | |
Mycotoxins | ||
Aflatoxins total (Σ B1,B2, G1,G2) | < 4 μg/kg | |
Aflatoxin B1 | < 1 μg/kg | |
Ochratoxin A | < 3 μg/kg | |
Microbiological | ||
TAMC | ≤ 103 CFU/g | |
TYMC | ≤ 102 CFU/g | |
Coliforms | ≤ 10 CFU/g | |
Salmonella | Not detected in 25 g |
- Proposed uses
- Target population: the general population.
- Proposed uses and Proposed use levels
Food category | Max use level (mL NF/100 g) |
As a replacement for other oils (used for cooking or added as a condiment) | 100 |
Pasta and similar products | 30 |
Bread and similar products | 30 |
Snacks other than chips and similar (crackers) | 30 |
Salad dressing | 50 |
Margarines and similar | 80 |
Various pastry | 30 |
Cream and cream products | 60 |
- Conclusions: The Panel concludes that the NF, tiger nuts oil, is safe under the proposed conditions of use.
Modification of an already authorised novel food
1. 2′-Fucosyllactose, 2’-FL
- Applicant: Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. (Application submitted on March 23, 2021)
- Proposed uses
- Target population: infants and young children;
- Proposed uses: food supplement;
- Proposed use levels: the applicant proposes to extend the use of 2’-FL in FS for infants at the use level of 1.2 g/day.
- Conclusion: The Panel concludes that the NF, which is composed of 2’-FL and other structurally related mono- and oligosaccharides, is safe under the proposed conditions of use.
2. DHA 550 oil from Schizochytrium sp.
- Applicant: Fermentalg (Application submitted on June 22, 2023)
- Authorized uses and use levels:
Authorised novel food | Conditions under which the novel food may be used | |
DHA 550 oil from Schizochytrium sp. | Food category | Max use level |
Protein products, excluding dairy analogues | 1 g DHA/100 g of protein products |
- Conclusion: The Panel concludes that the NF (oil from S. limacinum (FCC-3204)) is safe under the new intended use.
3. Oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis containing astaxanthin
- Applicant: Astareal AB (Application submitted on June 20, 2022)
- Proposed uses
- Target population: infants and young children;
- Proposed uses: food supplement;
- Proposed use levels: the applicant seeks to lower the minimum specification limits as set in the EU Union list for the protein content in the NF from currently 0.3% to 0.0% and for ATX monoesters (as % of total ATX, esterified and free) from currently 79.8% to 66.7%. Furthermore, they propose to increase the maximum specification limits for 9-cis-ATX from currently 17.3% to 30.0% and for ATX diesters (as % of total ATX, esterified and free) from currently 19.0% to 32.5%.
- Conclusions: The Panel concludes that the NF, oleoresin from H. pluvialis containing ATX, is safe with the proposed specification limits.
EFSA requested scientific and technical assistance with regard to the evaluation of Novel Food
1. Acheta domesticus
- EFSA conclusion: The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed uses and use levels. In addition, the Panel notes that allergic reactions may occur upon consumption. The Panel recommends that research should be undertaken on the allergenicity of A. domesticus, including cross-reactivity to other allergens.
Approved NF
1. Magnesium L-threonate
- Applicant: AIDP Inc. (the United States)
- Application submitted on: March 1, 2021
- Authorized to be placed on the market on: November 7, 2024
- Authorized uses and use levels:
Authorised novel food | Conditions under which the novel food may be used | ||
Magnesium L-threonate | Specified food category | Maximum levels of Mg | |
Food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women | 250 mg/day | ||
Labeling requirements | |||
1. The designation of the novel food on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it shall be “Magnesium L-threonate”. 2. The labeling of food supplements containing magnesium L-threonate shall bear a statement that the food supplements should be consumed by adults only, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women. | |||
Specification | |||
Description/Definition: The novel food is produced by chemical synthesis and consists of magnesium L-threonate. | |||
Chemical identity | |||
Chemical (IUPAC) name | Magnesium (2R,3S)-2,3,4-trihydroxybutanoate monohydrate | ||
Common name | magnesium L-threonate | ||
Molecular formula | C8H16MgO11 | ||
CAS number | 500304-76-7 | ||
Molecular weight | 312,5 Da | ||
Characteristics/composition: | |||
Appearance | White powder | ||
Mg L-threonate monohydrate | 98 %–102 % | ||
Magnesium | 7,2 %–8,3 % | ||
L-Threonate | 82 %-91 % | ||
Oxalic acid | ≤ 1 % | ||
Ethanol | ≤ 5 000 ppm | ||
Loss on drying | ≤ 5,0 % | ||
Microbiological criteria | |||
Total aerobic microbial count | ≤ 100 CFU/g | ||
Total yeast and mold count | ≤ 10 CFU/g | ||
E. coli | Not detected in 10 g | ||
Salmonella | Not detected in 25 g |
Abbreviations:
- CAS: chemical abstracts service
- IUPAC: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
- CFU: colony forming unit
Amendments to already authorized NF
1. Vitamin D2 mushroom powder
- Applicant: MBio, Monaghan Mushrooms (Canada)
- Application submitted on: March 29, 2024
- Authorized to be placed on the market on: October 16, 2024
- Authorized uses and use levels:
Authorised novel food | Specification | |
Vitamin D2 mushroom powder | Description/Definition | |
The novel food is mushroom powder produced from dried whole Agaricus bisporus mushrooms. The process includes drying, milling, and the controlled exposure of the mushroom powder to UV irradiation. UV radiation: A process of radiation in ultraviolet light within a range of wavelength similar to those UV-treated novel foods authorised under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. | ||
Characteristics/composition | ||
Vitamin D2 content | 137-595 μg/g of mushroom powder | |
Ash | ≤ 13,5 % | |
Water activity | < 0,5 | |
Moisture content | ≤ 7,5 % | |
Total carbohydrates | ≤ 60 % | |
Crude protein (N × 6,25) | ≥ 22 % | |
Fat | ≤ 4,5 % | |
Heavy metals | ||
Lead | ≤ 0,5 mg/kg | |
Cadmium | ≤ 0,5 mg/kg | |
Mercury | ≤ 0,1 mg/kg | |
Arsenic | ≤ 0,3 mg/kg | |
Mycotoxins | ||
Aflatoxin B1 | ≤ 0,10 μg/kg | |
Aflatoxins (sum of B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) | < 4 μg/kg | |
Microbiological criteria | ||
Total plate count | ≤ 5 000 CFU | |
Total yeast and mould count | < 100 CFU/g | |
E. coli | < 10 CFU/g | |
Salmonella spp. | Absence in 25 g | |
Staphylococcus aureus | ≤ 10 CFU/g | |
Coliforms | ≤ 10 CFU/g | |
Listeria spp. | Absence in 25 g | |
Enterobacteriaceae | < 10 CFU/g | |
CFU | colony forming units |
Source: The inventory of GRAS notices.
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Further information
Summary of EU EFSA Novel Food Application and Approval Status in the First Quarter of 2024
Summary of EU EFSA Novel Food Application and Approval Status in the Second Quarter of 2024
Summary of EU EFSA Novel Food Application and Approval Status in the Third Quarter of 2024