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Summary of EU EFSA Novel Food Application and Approval Status in the Last Quarter of 2024

from CIRS by

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.

eu,efsa,novel,food,approval,application

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

  

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