Objectives
The objectives of the task force are to optimise the evaluation of novel foods, novel food ingredients and new processing techniques from scientific, safety and nutritional viewpoints. Additionally, the task force will stay vigilant for emerging issues, which will impact on novel foods.
The task force decided to form a new expert group to investigate the food applications of nanotechnology, with particular emphasis on the risk assessment.
Activities
History of Safe Use – Definition and Criteria
The introduction of new and innovative food products on the European market may require approval via the Novel Foods Regulation. The ‘history of safe use’ of a novel food is part of the safety assessment, for example, when a food has a history of use in other parts of the world but may be classified as “novel” in Europe. The aims of this activity are to clarify the use and concept of “history of safe use”.
The task force has (i) compiled the information that has been produced on this subject and established the current use and understanding of the concept and (ii) identified guidance criteria that can objectively describe the concept, thus providing a tool to refine the use of this concept.
The paper entitled “History of Safe Use as Applied to the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods and Foods Derived from Genetically Modified Organisms” was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology 2007; 45: 2513-25.
Post-Market Monitoring of Novel Foods
The safety of novel foods and ingredients is assured before they are marketed by a thorough evaluation of microbiological, nutritional and toxicological safety. However, the conventional safety assessment approach classically used for food additives or contaminants poses more challenges when applied to whole foods. Therefore, the concept of Post-Market Monitoring (PMM) receives increasing attention as a potential tool in the battery of approaches for assuring the safety of novel foods and ingredients including genetically modified ones.
The task force commissioned an Expert Group that has examined when the application of PMM is appropriate, and when it is not. A resulting paper was reviewed in a workshop and has now been published as “The application of post-market monitoring to novel foods” was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008; 46: 9-33.
Nanotechnologies
With recognised experts in the field, the task force explored the creation of an expert group to review the status of current developments of nanotechnologies applied to foods and to investigate the adequacy of risk assessment procedures.
An Expert Group will be created to investigate the safety of nanoparticles in a tiered approach. The focus will be on risk assessment of nanoparticles in food and food applications, including food packaging
Impact
Novel foods are foods and food ingredients that have not been used for human consumption to a significant degree within the European Community before 15 May 1997.
After having worked intensively on issues related to biotechnology, the task force has recently finalised articles on two particularly controversial issues, namely the concept of “history of safe use” as used in novel food safety assessments, and the application of post-market monitoring to novel foods. The aim was to characterise these concepts by applying scientific criteria so that their respective functions as risk assessment or risk management tools can be optimised.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Anne Constable, Nestlé (UK)
Dr. Dirk Cremer, DSM (CH)
Dr. Agnes Davi, Groupe Danone (FR)
Dr. Mike Knowles, Coca-Cola European Union Group (BE)
Dr. Paul Hepburn, Unilever (UK)
Dr. Kerstin Kramer, Monsanto Europe-Africa (BE)
Dr. Valery Kuprienko, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (RU)
Dr. Jeanine Lasheras, Wild Flavors (DE)
Prof. Colette Shortt, McNeil Nutritionals Europe (UK)
Prof. Gert-W. von Rymon, Consultant for Südzucker/BENEO Group (DE)
Dr. Ingmar Wester, Raisio (FI)
Experts from consultancies
Prof. Andrew Cockburn (UK)
Mr. Gareth Edwards (UK)
Prof. Bevan Moseley (UK)
Publications:
P. Hepburn, J. Howlett et al. The Application of Post-Market Monitoring to Novel Foods. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008;46:9-33.
A. Constable, D. Jonas et al. History of Safe Use as Applied to the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods and Foods Derived from Genetically Modified Organisms. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2007;45:2513-2525.
J. Howlett, D.G. Edwards et al. The Safety Assessment of Novel Foods and Concepts to Determine their Safety in Use. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2003;54:1-32.
Also published in the ILSI Europe Report Series 2003:1-43.
D.A. Jonas. Safety Considerations of DNA in Food. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2001;45(6):235-254.
Also published in the ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-36.
C. Robinson. Genetic Modification Technology and Food: Consumer Health and Safety. ILSI Europe Concise Monograph Series 2002:1-45.
E. Anklam et al., Editors. Method Development in Relation with Regulatory Requirements for the Detection of GMOs in the Food Chain. Journal of AOAC International 2002;85(3):751-815. (Proceedings)
E. Anklam and D.A. Neumann. Method Development in Relation to Regulatory Requirements for the Detection of GMOs in the Food Chain. ILSI Europe Report Series 2001:1-26. (Report)
G. Livesey, D. Buss, P. Coussement et al. Suitability of Traditional Energy Values for Novel Foods and Food Ingredients. Food Control 2000;11(4):249-289.
D. Jonas. Safety Assessment of Viable Genetically Modified Micro-organisms Used in Food. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1999;11:198-207
M. Grasserbauer et al., Editors. Detection Methods for Novel Foods Derived from Genetically Modified Organisms. Food Control 1999;10(6):339-414. (Proceedings)
H. Kuiper. Detection Methods for Novel Foods Derived from Genetically Modified Organisms. ILSI Europe Report Series 1999:1-24. (Report)
D. Madden. Food Biotechnology - An Introduction. ILSI Europe Concise Monograph Series 1995:1-37.
For more information contact: info@ilsieurope.be