Safety of Schizochytrium sp. oil as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283(a). (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turck, Dominique; Castenmiller, Jacqueline; De Henauw, Stefaan; Hirsch‐Ernst, Karen Ildico; Kearney, John; Maciuk, Alexandre; Mangelsdorf, Inge; McArdle, Harry J; Naska, Androniki; Pelaez, Carmen; Pentieva, Kristina; Siani, Alfonso; Thies, Frank; Tsabouri, Sophia; Vinceti, Marco; Cubadda, Francesco; Engel, Karl Heinz; Frenzel, Thomas; Heinonen, Marina; Marchelli, Rosangela; Neuhäuser‐Berthold, Monika; Poulsen, Morten; Sanz, Yolanda; Schlatter, Josef Rudolf; van Loveren, Henk; Ferreira, Lucien; Knutsen, Helle Katrine
• Is Part Of: EFSA journal. Volume 18:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Novel foods -- Schizochytrium limacinum -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) -- infant and young children -- alga -- fatty acid -- safety; Food -- Europe -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Food Safety; Food -- Safety measures; Europe; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Government Publications, International; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 363.19209405
• DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1831-4732

Abstract

Abstract: 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 Schizochytrium sp. oil as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Schizochytrium sp. is a single‐cell microalga. The strain WZU477, used by the applicant (Progress Biotech bv), was found to belong to the species Schizochytrium limacinum and was obtained in a marine environment from rotted mangrove forest leaves. The NF, an oil rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is isolated from the microalgae by mechanical extraction. The applicant proposed to use the NF in infant formulae (IF) and follow‐on formulae (FOF). The use level defined by the applicant was derived from Regulation (EU) 2016/127, which states the mandatory addition of DHA to IF and FOF at the level of 20–50 mg/100 kcal. The intake of DHA resulting from the use of the NF in IF and FOF is not expected to pose safety concerns. The composition of the NF indicates the absence of marine biotoxins in the NF. Furthermore, Schizochytrium limacinum was attributed the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) status with the qualification 'for production purposes only'. Based on the information provided, the microalga is not expected to survive the manufacturing process. Toxicological tests conducted with the NF were not performed. However, based on the available toxicological data on various forms of oils derived from Schizochytrium sp., the QPS status of the source of the NF, the production process and the composition of the NF, the Panel considers there are no concerns with regard to toxicity of the NF. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.