European Union Assesses the Safety of Magnesium L-Threonate as a Novel Food

In a recent development, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has conducted an evaluation of the safety of magnesium L-threonate as a novel food. This assessment, carried out by the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods, and Food Allergens (NDA), aims to provide scientific insights into the safety considerations surrounding the use of magnesium L-threonate as a new food ingredient. The findings of this evaluation shed light on the safety profile of magnesium L-threonate and its potential as a novel food in the European Union.

The evaluation conducted by the EFSA NDA panel involved a comprehensive analysis of magnesium L-threonate's safety as a novel food ingredient. The assessment took into account the bioavailability of magnesium from this source and its implications for dietary intake. The EFSA panel reviewed various studies, including a dissociation study, two rat studies, and one human trial, to determine the bioavailability of magnesium from magnesium L-threonate.

Based on the results obtained from these studies, the EFSA panel concluded that magnesium is bioavailable from magnesium L-threonate. The evaluation also considered the presence of oxalic acid in the novel food, with the panel determining that an additional exposure to oxalic acid, up to 30 mg daily from the novel food, does not raise safety concerns.

The EFSA NDA panel further examined the nutritional implications of magnesium L-threonate and concluded that its use as a novel food ingredient is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The panel referenced a previous assessment by the EFSA ANS Panel, which determined that a human intake of L-threonate of 2700 mg per day is safe. This intake level aligns with the maximum proposed uses of L-threonate from the novel food.

Furthermore, the EFSA NDA panel found no concerns regarding the genotoxicity of magnesium L-threonate. Taking into account all the evidence and considerations, the panel concluded that magnesium L-threonate is safe under the proposed conditions of use and that it serves as a bioavailable source of magnesium.

The recent evaluation by the EFSA NDA panel provides valuable scientific insights into the safety of magnesium L-threonate as a novel food ingredient. The panel's assessment confirms that, under the proposed conditions of use, magnesium L-threonate is safe and bioavailable. This evaluation contributes to the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of novel food ingredients in the European Union. The findings pave the way for the potential utilization of magnesium L-threonate as a safe and innovative addition to the European food market.