EU evaluates 3 substances as new food safety

Recently, at the request of the European Commission, the European Union Food Safety Agency (EFSA) Nutrition, New Food and Food Allergen Group (NDA) has made Euglena gracilis biomass, 3'-sialic acid lactose sodium salt -Sialyllactose sodium salt) and 6'-Sialyllactose sodium salt (6'-Sialyllactose sodium salt) as new food safety opinions.

 The Euglena gracilis biomass is produced by fermentation, and its main component is β-glucan polysaccharide (> 50%). The applicant proposes that the new food be used in food supplements, meal replacement foods for weight control, and added to many foods as food ingredients. The target population is the general population, when used as food supplements and meal replacement foods for weight control, the target population is the population over 1 year old.

 3'-sialyllactose sodium salt and 6'-sialyllactose sodium salt are produced by fermentation of transgenic E. coli strain K-12 DH1. The applicant intends to add this new type of food to various foods, including infant formula and follow-up formula, infant food, food for special medical purposes, and food supplements.

 After evaluation, the expert group believes that the above three new foods are safe under the proposed conditions of use.