ACNFP

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NOVEL FOODS AND PROCESSES

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ACNFP Secretariat
Food Standards Agency
Room 515b Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH

Tel: +44 (0)20 7276 8595
Fax: +44 (0)20 7276 8564

acnfp@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

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Plantsterol enriched bakery products, grain-based snacks and gum arabic pastilles

The Advisory Committee for Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) considered the above application from Oy Karl Fazer by post as no meeting was scheduled within the designated 60 day period. The Committee broadly agreed with the initial opinion of the Finnish Competent Authority, however there were several concerns raised by members.

Mr Klepsch
European Commission
DG-Sanco
Rue De La Loi 200
B1049
Brussels

8 May 2001
Reference:

Plantsterol enriched bakery products, grain-based snacks and gum arabic pastilles

Dear Mr Klepsch

The Advisory Committee for Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) considered the above application from Oy Karl Fazer by post as no meeting was scheduled within the designated 60 day period. The Committee broadly agreed with the initial opinion of the Finnish Competent Authority, however there were several concerns raised by members. These are listed below:

1. Some of the plantsterol enriched products (grain-based snacks and gum arabic pastilles) were perceived to be potentially desirable to children, and members were concerned that even if they were marketed at premium price with an indication of the target population (middle aged people), there might still be consumption by children.
2. There was the possiblility of effects on the absorption (not blood level) of fat soluble vitamins and carotenoids over the longer term.
3. It was not clear whether patterns of consumption described in the application would be predictive for the UK population.
4. In view of the number of applications for foodstuffs containing phytosterols and their esters being considered under (EC) 258/97, concerns have already been raised by the Committee concerning the potential for the cumulative consumption of plantsterols from a range of different products. In view of this, members were concerned by the comment made in the application about possible effects of raised levels of plant sterols causing a hormone imbalance, and that this may compromise the efficacy of orally administered hormones.

The Committee does not support the marketing of these products until these factors have been addressed, and therefore formally objects to this application.

Yours sincerely
Dr Chris Jones
Higher Scientific Officer
Novel Foods Division