The European Union evaluates the safety of the extended use of partially defatted Chia seed meal with high fibre content as a novel food product

On April 20th 2023, according to the European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA), partially defatted chia seed powder with a high fibre content was extended by the European Union Research Group on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergy Sources (NDA) content) as a scientific opinion on the safety of new foods.

After evaluation, the panel concluded that the extended use of partially defatted Chia seed meal with a high fiber content as a novel food is safe under the recommended conditions of use. Some of the original reports are as follows:

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of the extension of use of partially defatted chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) powder with a high fibre content as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is already authorised and included in the Union list of NFs and is produced according to the same production process. This application is limited to an assessment of the extension of use of the NF as a food ingredient in several food categories with a high moisture content that are subject to thermal processing. The target population for the extension of use is the general population. The information provided on the formation of process contaminants (acrylamide, furan and methylfurans) in a selected food category with added NF (bread) subjected to heat treatment is sufficient for this assessment and does not raise safety concerns. Noting that no safety concerns were identified from the information available on the production process, composition, specifications and proposed uses of the NF, the Panel considers that intake estimates for the NF are not needed for this assessment. The Panel concludes that the NF, partially defatted chia seeds powder with a high fibre content, is safe under the proposed conditions of use.