Safety of oil from Schizochytrium sp. (strain CABIO-A-2) for use in infant and follow-on formula as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Dominique Turck, Torsten Bohn, Jacqueline Castenmiller, Stefaan De Henauw, Karen Ildico Hirsch-Ernst, Alexandre Maciuk, Inge Mangelsdorf, Harry J. McArdle, Androniki Naska, Carmen Pelaez, Kristina Pentieva, Alfonso Siani, Frank Thies, Sophia Tsabouri, Marco Vinceti, Margarita Aguilera-Gómez, Francesco Cubadda, Thomas Frenzel, Marina Heinonen, Miguel Prieto MaradonaRosangela Marchelli, Monika Neuhäuser-Berthold, Morten Poulsen, Josef Rudolf Schlatter, Alexandros Siskos, Henk van Loveren, Emanuela Turla, Helle Katrine Knutsen, EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearch

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of Schizochytrium sp. (strain CABIO-A-2) oil as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. S. sp. is a single-cell microalga. The NF is a mixture of triglycerides in which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) represents 38%–44% of fatty acids. The applicant proposed to use the NF in infant formulae (IF) and follow-on formulae (FOF). The use levels proposed by the applicant were derived from Regulation (EU) 2016/127, which states the mandatory addition of DHA to IF and FOF at the level of 20–50 mg/100 kcal. The evidence provided demonstrated that the strain S. sp. CABIO-A-2 is phylogenetically closely related to the strain S. sp. ATCC 20888. The assessment of some already authorised S. sp. oils in the Union list were also based on similarities with the strain ATCC 20888. The applicant provided a 90-day repeated dose toxicity study in rats with the NF. No adverse effects were observed up to the highest dose tested, i.e. 10.2 g/kg body weight (bw) per day. Taking into account the toxicity studies performed with the NF and with DHA-oils derived from strains belonging to the genus Schizochytrium, its phylogenetical profile, the production process, the composition of the NF and the absence of marine biotoxins and viable cells in the NF, the Panel considers that there are no concerns with regard to the toxicity of the NF. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere8415
JournalEFSA Journal
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Schizochytrium
  • alga
  • docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
  • fatty acid
  • infants and young children
  • novel foods
  • safety

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