EFSA provides scientific advice for labelling of food allergen derivatives: nine evaluations finalised

Directive 2000/13/EC on food labelling requires the mandatory labelling of ingredients present in foodstuffs, including all known allergens, in order to provide consumers with better information and to protect the health of those suffering from food allergies or intolerances. Given the possibility that certain derivatives of known food allergens may not trigger an allergic reaction, this same legislation* also provides for possible exemption from their mandatory declaration in the ingredient lists of food labels. A list of derivatives of allergenic ingredients for which mandatory labelling is not required is to be determined by the European Commission provided that it can be scientifically established that these do not cause adverse reactions. EFSA's NDA panel has previously advised that such applications would need to be considered on a case by case basis**.

In order to allow the food industry sufficient time to provide evidence demonstrating that certain derivatives of allergenic ingredients do not trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, the legislation allows for temporary labelling exemptions to be established based on current scientific knowledge. In this context, industry was requested to submit applications before 25 August 2004 for possible temporary exemption of allergen derivatives from mandatory labelling so as to give the European Commission the opportunity to establish such a list following scientific advice from EFSA. The allergen derivatives included in the list will then be temporarily excluded from mandatory declaration on food labels pending confirmation, based on results of research to be carried out by industry, that they indeed do not cause an allergic reaction.

The European Commission has requested that EFSA evaluate a number of applications received concerning allergen derivatives and provide scientific advice regarding the likelihood of their triggering adverse reactions following their consumption by susceptible individuals under the conditions specified by the applicant.

The majority of the requests were received by EFSA in September and October. In advance of receiving these requests, the NDA Panel carried out preparatory work related to this task, including a stakeholder consultation with industry experts.

The table attached provides an overview of the ingredients evaluated to date and the Panel’s conclusions on nine applications. Taking into account all scientific data available, including its previous opinion and data provided by the applicants, the Panel was able to provide advice for 8 of these 9 applications. For one application, related to milk, egg and fish products used in the manufacture of wine, the data submitted was insufficient to draw a conclusion.

The Panel will pursue the evaluation of the remaining applications and provide scientific opinions as requested by the European Commission in the coming months.