Papers and correspondence
Papers and correspondence relevant to novel foods and the work of the ACNFP.
Novel food issues
Use of Diminicol
2001: Letter advising the European Commission of the ACNFP view on plant sterol enriched fat ingredient Diminicol.
ACNFP factsheet on foods with added plant sterols
2005: This factsheet provides consumers with information about plant sterols and their use as cholesterol lowering food ingredients.
Letter to Ata SpA
2002: Letter issued to Ata SpA regarding a request for a scientific opinion on high pressure processed (HPP) fruit and vegetable products.
View on gamma-cyclodextrin
2001: Letter advising the European Commission of the ACNFP view on gamma-cyclodextrin.
Nicotine sweets
2001: A letter of awareness regarding a nicotine sweet that may be sold in the UK.
High pressure processing
2001: Letter to Orchard House regarding a request for a scientific opinion on high pressure processed fruit-based products.
Information relating to the assessment of novel foods
Guidelines for taste trials and human volunteer studies
2002: In September 2001, the Food Standards Agency ran a consultation on new guidelines for the conduct of taste trials and human volunteer studies on novel foods. The final guidelines were published on 17 April 2002.
Toxicological assessment of novel (including GM) foods
1998: This paper briefly reviews the role of toxicological studies in the safety assessment of GM foods and focuses on the pros and cons of subjecting such foods to long term feeding studies. It does not aim to address the testing of novel foods for possible allergic reactions which is a separate, specialised, safety issue.
Statistically valid data to support applications for safety clearance of crop product under EC Regulation on Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients 258/97
1998: This paper is intended to promote discussion about the provision of statistically valid data in applications for product approvals under the EC Regulation on Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients 258/97 (EC Novel Foods Regulation). The paper presents the ACNFP's conclusions.
GM food issues
ACNFP consideration of greenpeace report on Genetic Modification
1998: The Greenpeace report written by Dr Parr entitled Genetic engineering: too good to go wrong was sent to all ACNFP members by post. This response represents their collective views. Whilst the ACNFP's remit focuses on the food safety implications of GMOs, members were invited to comment on all aspects of the report.
Health and environmental risks of genetically modified soya
1998: Points presented in Greenpeace's paper of relevance to the ACNFP's consideration of the food safety of this line are discussed in the sequence presented in the paper.
ACNFP factsheet on the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes (ARMs) in GM plants
2005: This factsheet explains how and why antibiotic resistance marker genes (ARMs) are used in GM crop production and what is being done to ensure that foods derived from them are as safe to eat as conventional foods.
ACNFP response To Friends of the Earth report - The Great Food Gamble
2001: The report sets out the reasons why the Friends of the Earth is opposed to the introduction of GMOs and why they believe the current regulatory system for the safety assessment for GM foods, is inadequate. The ACNFP felt they should respond since the report questions fundamental aspects of the safety assessment of GM foods, which is currently carried out by the ACNFP.
ACNFP statement on the effect of GM soya on newborn rats
2005: At its 24 November 2005 meeting, the Committee was asked to consider a report provided to it by Dr Irina Ermakova which contained the results from a preliminary study conducted in Russia on the offspring of rats given flour from genetically modified (herbicide-tolerant) soya beans. At this meeting the Committee agreed to issue a statement outlining its comments on this report.
Advice on occurrence of AAD gene in Monsanto insect-protected and Round-up ready cottonseed
1999: A detailed assessment of the potential risks from the occurrence of the aad gene in the two Monsanto cottonseed lines.
GM maize line T25
1996: In 1996, the ACNFP considered the safety of processed food products obtained from GM maize line T25, modified to confer tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate (see Annex 2 of the ACNFP's 1996 Annual Report). The Committee concluded that food products from this line were as safe, for food use, as those obtained from conventional maize.
Monsanto Roundup Ready soybeans line 40-3-2
1994: The ACNFP considered this line under its voluntary scheme in 1994. It was given clearance for food safety on 20 February 1995.
ACNFP response to the food safety issues raised in the evidence submitted to the Chardon LL hearing
2002: The ACNFP has considered the representations made to the Chardon LL public hearing and has concluded that no new evidence has been submitted that would question the safety of food products derived from this genetically modifed maize line.
Rowett Institute: GM potatoes
On 12 February 1999 the ACNFP published a press release on research undertaken at the Rowett Institute on GM potatoes.
http://www.acnfp.gov.uk/acnfppapers/