Food Standards Agency
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Views wanted on taxifolin
A Russian company has applied to the Food Standards Agency for approval to market taxifolin as a novel food ingredient. The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), an independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA, has now considered this application and has prepared a draft initial opinion.
Taxifolin is extracted from a type of larch wood and has been marketed in Russia and the US for 15–20 years as a food ingredient. The company, Ametis JSG, is seeking an authorisation to market taxifolin as a dietary supplement in dairy, meat and confectionery products, as well as in oil and fats, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
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 ACNFP.
Deadline for comments
Any comments on the draft opinion should be emailed to the ACNFP secretariat at acnfp@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk by Monday 25 July 2011. The comments will be considered by the committee before it finalises its opinion on this novel food ingredient.
