Re‐evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive. (30th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Younes, Maged; Aquilina, Gabriele; Castle, Laurence; Engel, Karl‐Heinz; Fowler, Paul; Fürst, Peter; Gürtler, Rainer; Gundert‐Remy, Ursula; Husøy, Trine; Mennes, Wim; Moldeus, Peter; Oskarsson, Agneta; Shah, Romina; Waalkens‐Berendsen, Ine; Wölfle, Detlef; Boon, Polly; Crebelli, Riccardo; Di Domenico, Alessandro; Filipič, Metka; Mortensen, Alicja; Van Loveren, Henk; Woutersen, Ruud; Gergelova, Petra; Giarola, Alessandra; Lodi, Federica; Frutos Fernandez, Maria Jose
• Is Part Of: EFSA journal. Volume 17:Number 10(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-10-30
• Subjects: benzyl alcohol -- E 1519 -- food additive -- safety -- risk assessment -- dietary exposure -- acceptable daily intake; 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.2019.5876
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1831-4732

Abstract

Abstract: The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) provided a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) when used as a food additive. The Panel considered that adequate exposure and toxicity data were available. Benzyl alcohol (E 1519) is authorised as a food additive in the EU in accordance with Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. The Panel considered benzyl alcohol of low acute toxicity with no concern with respect to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 4 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day based on a no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 400 mg/kg bw per day from the carcinogenicity study in rats. The mean and high exposure estimates in the refined exposure scenarios were maximally 0.27 and 0.81 mg/kg bw per day in toddlers, respectively. The exposure estimates to benzyl alcohol (E 1519) were below the ADI of 4 mg/kg bw per day in all population groups. The Panel noted that also the exposure in the regulatory maximum level exposure assessment scenario is below the ADI in all population groups. The Panel concluded that the exposure to benzyl alcohol (E 1519) does not raise a safety concern at the reported uses and use levels.