Open AccessFollow‐up of the re‐evaluation of polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (E 475) as a food additive
Author(s) -
Younes Maged,
Aquilina Gabriele,
Castle Laurence,
Engel KarlHeinz,
Fowler Paul,
Frutos Fernandez Maria Jose,
GundertRemy Ursula,
Gürtler Rainer,
Husøy Trine,
Manco Melania,
Mennes Wim,
Moldeus Peter,
Passamonti Sabina,
Shah Romina,
WaalkensBerendsen Ine,
Wölfle Detlef,
Wright Matthew,
Cheyns Karlien,
Mirat Manuela,
Rincon Ana Maria,
Fürst Peter
Publication year - 2022
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.2022.7308
Subject(s) - food science , food additive , chemistry , european union , business , agricultural science , environmental science , economic policy
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (PEFA, E 475) was re‐evaluated in 2017 by the former EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient sources added to Food (ANS). As a follow‐up to this assessment, in this opinion, the Panel on Food Additives and Flavouring (FAF) addresses the data gaps identified to support an amendment of the EU specifications for E 475. The Panel performed a risk assessment of undesirable impurities and constituents potentially present in E 475. The Panel concluded that the maximum limits in the EU specifications for the 4 toxic elements (arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium) should be lowered based on actual levels in the commercial food additive E 475. The Panel also concluded that maximum limits for erucic acid, 3‐monochloropropanediol and glycidyl esters should be included in the EU specifications for E 475. Alternatively, the Panel recommends an amendment of the definition of E 475 to include a requirement that the fats and oils used in the manufacturing of E 475 comply with the respective EU legislation regarding suitability for human consumption. Further, the Panel concluded that there is no need for setting a specification limit for the content of trans ‐fatty acids in E 475 as a limit is established in the Regulation (EU) No 2019/649, i.e. 2 g of trans ‐fat per 100 g fat in food for the final consumer. Finally, the Panel recommends a modification of the definition of E 475 indicating that polyglycerol used for the manufacturing of E 475 should be produced from glycerol meeting the specifications for E 422 (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012). In this case, respective specification limits for epichlorohydrin, acrolein and butanetriol would not be needed for E 475.