FSA News Item, 15 May 2006

NOVEL FOODS - Views wanted on phytosterol novel food opinion

The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is seeking views by 26 May on its draft opinion on an application to market a phytosterol ingredient extracted from tall oil. Tall oil is derived from sources such as pine trees.

Before any new food product can be introduced on the European market it must be rigorously assessed for safety. In the UK , this assessment is carried out by the ACNFP, which is an independent committee of scientists appointed by the Food Standards Agency.

The Agency received an application from DDO Processing to regard its phytosterol extract from tall oil as equivalent to a tall oil extract previously approved for use in yellow fat spreads, salad dressings, milk type products, fermented milk type products, soya drinks and spicy sauces.

Phytosterols are used by the food industry for their cholesterol-lowering properties and are naturally present at low levels in vegetable oils and in food derived from such sources.

Following an initial public consultation period and the discussion of this application by the ACNFP at its 24 November 2005 and 25 January 2006 meetings, and by post, the committee has formulated a draft opinion on this novel food ingredient.

Any comments should be sent to the ACNFP Secretariat by 26 May and will be passed to the Committee for consideration