Views wanted on the traditional use and safety of Theobroma cacao fruit pulp as a novel food by 8 August 2019

Last updated:
30 July 2019
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The Advisory Committee for Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) has reviewed two notifications under the Novel Food Regulation from companies seeking authorisation of Cocoa pulp in the EU. The ACNFP has completed a safety assessment of these products and is now asking for public comments on its draft opinions.

Consultation News

These notifications are for Theobroma cacao L. fruit pulp. The two notifications have been considered in parallel as the applicants are seeking authorisation for use of the ingredient in different product types. The product is intended to be used:

  • In a range of food categories, including frozen fruit, jam and marmalades and fruit juice in notification number NF2019/866.
  • As a fruit juice only in notification number NF2019/1014.

These notifications are seeking authorisation under the traditional food process of the Novel Food Regulation. It relates to a food traditionally consumed in countries outside of the EU but not previously consumed in Europe. Further details on the notification can be found on the Commission website for NF2019/866 and NF2019/1014.

Views are requested from members of the public on the ACNFP’s draft opinions, particularly on whether there are additional considerations that the Committee should be aware of in finalising its opinions on these notifications.

Find the consultation here.

ACNFP’s draft opinion on Theobroma cacao L. fruit pulp Dossier number NF2019/866 and Dossier number NF2019/1014.

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How to comment

Comments on the draft opinions should be emailed to the ACNFP secretariat at acnfp@food.gov.uk by Thursday 8 August 2019.

All views and comments will be made available for public examination as part of the Committee’s consideration of the notification. If you would prefer your comments not to be made publicly available, please indicate this in your response.

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Novel Foods and the Traditional Food Process

A novel food is a food, or food ingredient, that does not have a significant history of consumption within the European Union before 15 May 1997. Traditional foods consumed in countries outside of the EU are a subset of novel foods. They can be authorised to be placed on the market in the EU under the traditional food process. Under this process applicants submit their notification for authorisation to the

European Commission. EU Member States and EFSA are then asked to consider if, based on the evidence provided by the applicant seeking authorisation, they have safety concerns with the product concerned. In the UK, assessment is undertaken by the ACNFP, an independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA. Its views are used to inform the UK position on the notification submitted by the applicant. If concerns are raised, a further assessment is undertaken before the product is placed on the market.

Further details regarding the application process for novel foods are available on the European Commission website and the Food Standards agency website.

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