EFSA publishes guidance for assessing the safety of botanicals
14 September 2009
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published advice for food authorities on how to assess the safety of botanical materials and preparations which are intended for use in food supplements.
The work, which was undertaken under EFSA’s own initiative, will also help food manufacturers in their consideration of the safety of ingredients that they may use in their products.
The opinion from EFSA’s Scientific Committee specifies what data are needed to carry out such safety assessments. It also suggests a two-tiered scientific approach depending on the existing level of knowledge on a given botanical and the substance(s) it contains.
The guidance also provides a set of criteria to help prioritise the safety assessment of botanical ingredients which are in use.
EFSA is due to hold a conference in Athens this November to present the work that it has done on this issue so far and discuss possible future developments with the EU Member States and other stakeholders.
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