Open AccessRe‐evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive
Author(s) -
Younes Maged,
Aquilina Gabriele,
Castle Laurence,
Engel KarlHeinz,
Fowler Paul,
Fürst Peter,
Gürtler Rainer,
GundertRemy Ursula,
Husøy Trine,
Mennes Wim,
Moldeus Peter,
Oskarsson Agneta,
Shah Romina,
WaalkensBerendsen 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
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5876
Subject(s) - alcohol , genotoxicity , benzyl alcohol , toxicology , population , body weight , acceptable daily intake , tolerable daily intake , carcinogen , medicine , toxicity , chemistry , environmental health , biology , pesticide , organic chemistry , agronomy , catalysis
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.