Views wanted on novel food applications

The two applications

The first applicant is seeking authorisation to sell its dried biomass and oleoresin from H. pluvialis product, which often sold as astaxanthin, on the basis that it is substantially equivalent to other existing products that are authorised to be marketed in the EU. Read the H. Pluvialis (Astaxanthin) application on the ACNFP website.

The second applicant is seeking authorisation to sell an olive leaf extract (Bonolive®) to be approved for use in the EU as a food ingredient under Regulation 258/97. Read the Bonolive® application in the archive of the ACNFP website.

About novel foods

A novel food is a food or food ingredient that does not have a significant history of consumption within the European Union before the 15th May 1997.

Before any new food product can be introduced on the European market it must be rigorously assessed for safety. In the UK, the assessment of novel foods is carried out by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), an independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA. In the case of this dossier it has been concluded by the Agency that a further assessment by EFSA is required.

About the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)

The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is a non-statutory, independent body of scientific experts that advises the Food Standards Agency on any matters relating to novel foods (including genetically modified foods) and novel processes (including food irradiation).

Deadline for comments

The Food Standards Agency is inviting comments on the applications.

Any comments should be emailed to the ACNFP Secretariat at acnfp@food.gov.uk.

The comments received will be passed to the Committee to inform its assessment of this novel food ingredient.