Dataset Information

Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives.

ABSTRACT: The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of the safety of food-grade carrageenan (E 407) and processes Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) used as food additives. Because of the structural similarities, the Panel concluded that processed Eucheuma seaweed can be included in the evaluation of food-grade carrageenan. Poligeenan (average molecular weight 10-20 kDa) has not been authorised as a food additive and is not used in any food applications. In its evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a), the Panel noted that the ADME database was sufficient to conclude that carrageenan was not absorbed intact; in a subchronic toxicity study performed with carrageenan almost complying with the EU specification for E 407 in rats, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 3,400-3,900 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, the highest dose tested; no adverse effects have been detected in chronic toxicity studies with carrageenan in rats up to 7,500 mg/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested; there was no concern with respect to the carcinogenicity of carrageenan; carrageenan and processed Eucheuma seaweed did not raise a concern with respect to genotoxicity; the NOAEL of sodium and calcium carrageenan for prenatal developmental dietary toxicity studies were the highest dose tested; the safety of processed Eucheuma seaweed was sufficiently covered by the toxicological evaluation of carrageenan; data were adequate for a refined exposure assessment for 41 out of 79 food categories. However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data. Overall, taking into account the lack of adequate data to address these uncertainties, the Panel concluded that the existing group acceptable daily intake (ADI) for carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) of 75 mg/kg bw per day should be considered temporary, while the database should be improved within 5 years after publication of this opinion.

SUBMITTER: EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS)

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7009739 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives.

Younes Maged M Aggett Peter P Aguilar Fernando F Crebelli Riccardo R Filipič Metka M Frutos Maria Jose MJ Galtier Pierre P Gott David D Gundert-Remy Ursula U Kuhnle Gunter Georg GG Lambré Claude C Leblanc Jean-Charles JC Lillegaard Inger Therese IT Moldeus Peter P Mortensen Alicja A Oskarsson Agneta A Stankovic Ivan I Waalkens-Berendsen Ine I Woutersen Rudolf Antonius RA Wright Matthew M Brimer Leon L Lindtner Oliver O Mosesso Pasquale P Christodoulidou Anna A Ioannidou Sofia S Lodi Federica F Dusemund Birgit B

EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority 20180426 4

The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of the safety of food-grade carrageenan (E 407) and processes Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) used as food additives. Because of the structural similarities, the Panel concluded that processed Eucheuma seaweed can be included in the evaluation of food-grade carrageenan. Poligeenan (average molecular weight 10-20 kDa) has not been authorised as a food additive and is not used in any food applications. In its evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processe ...[more]

PMID: 32625873

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Project description:The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provided a scientific opinion re-evaluating the safety of sodium ferrocyanide (E 535), potassium ferrocyanide (E 536), and evaluating the safety of calcium ferrocyanide (E 538) as food additives. The Panel considered that adequate exposure and toxicity data were available. Ferrocyanides (E 535-538) are solely authorised in two food categories as salt substitutes. To assess the dietary exposure to ferrocyanides (E 535-538) from their use as food additives, the exposure was calculated based on regulatory maximum level exposure assessment scenario (maximum permitted level (MPL)) and the refined exposure assessment scenario. Dietary exposure to ferrocyanides was calculated based on mean and high levels consumption of salts in both the regulatory maximum level and the refined scenario. In the MPL scenario, the exposure to ferrocyanides (E 535-538) from their use as a food additive was up to 0.009 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in children and adolescents. In the refined estimated exposure scenario, the exposure was up to 0.003 mg/kg bw per day in children and adolescents. Absorption of ferrocyanides is low and there is no accumulation in human. There is no concern with respect to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Reproductive studies were not available, but a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1,000 mg sodium ferrocyanide/kg bw per day (highest dose tested) was identified from a prenatal developmental toxicity study. The kidney appeared to be the target organ for ferrocyanides toxicity and 4.4 mg sodium ferrocyanide/kg bw per day was identified as the NOAEL for the renal effects in a chronic (2-year) study in rats. Assuming that the toxicity of this compound is due to the ferrocyanide ion only, the Panel established a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sodium, potassium and calcium ferrocyanide of 0.03 mg/kg bw per day expressed as ferrocyanide ion. The Panel concluded that ferrocyanides (E 535-538) are of no safety concern at the current authorised use and use levels.

Dataset Information

Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives.

Publications

Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives.

Similar Datasets

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