WIREDGOV

An independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA has considered an application from a Spanish company for approval to market cockerel combs extract as a novel food ingredient. Views are wanted on the expert committee’s draft opinion.

A cockerel’s comb (referred to by the company as a rooster’s comb) is the large fleshy red skin on top of the cockerel’s head.

The company, Bioiberica, states that rooster combs have been consumed in some European countries as part of traditional dishes. The applicant also states that rooster combs extract is rich in sodium hyaluronate. The company plans to add the extract to dairy foods, including milk-based fermented beverages, milks, yoghurts and fromage frais.

About novel food

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

Before any new food product can be introduced on the European market, it must be assessed rigorously for safety. In the UK, the assessment of novel food is carried out by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP).

Deadline for comments

Any comments on the draft opinion should be emailed to the ACNFP secretariat at acnfp@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk by Saturday 6 August 2011. The comments will be considered by the committee before it finalises its opinion on this novel food ingredient.