Food Law News - EU - 2001


FSA Letter, 8 November 2001

NOVEL FOODS: Noni Juice and related products

The letter refers to previous letters relating to the above products, specifically the application under Novel Foods Regulation (EC) 258/97 for the safety assessment of noni juice (Morinda citrifolia) and the FSA enquiries about the possible sale of these products before May 1997. To date no one that the FSA have contacted has been able to supply such evidence.

Following further discussions with other Member States and the Commission, it was concluded that there is no evidence of a history of consumption in the EU before May 1997 and therefore noni juice should be considered a novel food. Sales of the products in French overseas territories, such as Polynesia, do not constitute a history of consumption in the EU. Under the UK Novel Food Regulations it is now an offence to sell Noni Juice therefore until an approval is granted such products should not be sold in the EU. The FSA understand that authorities in other EU member states are also informing companies about the status of the products.


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