Safety Assessment of a Food Enzyme for Plant-Based Milk Production in the EU

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released an opinion regarding the safety evaluation of 3-phytase, a food enzyme produced by genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain NPH, intended for use in the production of plant-based milk and milk product analogues, baking products, and distilled alcohol.

The European Food Safety Authority has conducted a comprehensive safety assessment of 3-phytase, a food enzyme produced using genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain NPH. This enzyme finds its applications in various food production processes, including the production of plant-based milk and milk product analogues, baking products, and distilled alcohol. The expert panel's evaluation suggests that while there could be a low possibility of allergic reactions from dietary exposure (except for distilled alcohol production), the overall risk remains minimal. Based on the provided data, the panel concludes that the food enzyme does not pose safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.