EFSA - European Food Safety Authority

02/13/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/13/2023 09:02

Flavouring Group Evaluation 76 Revision 2 (FGE.76Rev2): Consideration of sulfur‐containing heterocyclic compounds, evaluated by JECFA, structurally related to thiazoles,[...]

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Metadata

EFSA Journal 2023;21(2):7784
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7784
Keywords:
Sulfur‐containing heterocyclic compounds, thiazoles, thiophenes, thiazoline and thienyl derivatives, FGE.21, FGE.76, FGE.93
On request from:
European Commission
Question Number:
 EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00675
 EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00676
EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00677
EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00678
EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00679
EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00682
EFSA‐Q‐2014‐00683
Contact:
fip[at] efsa.europa.eu

Panel members at the time of adoption

Maged Younes, Gabriele Aquilina, Laurence Castle, Gisela Degen, Karl‐Heinz Engel, Paul J Fowler, Maria Jose Frutos Fernandez, Peter Fürst, Ursula Gundert‐Remy, Rainer Gürtler, Trine Husøy, Melania Manco, Wim Mennes, Peter Moldeus, Sabina Passamonti, Romina Shah, Ine Waalkens‐Berendsen and Matthew Wright.

Abstract

The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) was requested to consider the JECFA evaluations of 28 flavouring substances in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 76 (FGE.76Rev2). Twenty‐one of these substances have been considered in FGE.76Rev1. Seven substances could not be evaluated, because of concerns with respect to genotoxicity. New genotoxicity data have been provided for 4‐methyl‐5‐vinylthiazole [FL‐no: 15.018] and 4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐isobutyl‐3‐thiazoline [FL‐no: 15.032], which are representative substances of [FL‐no: 15.005] and [FL‐no: 15.029, 15.030, 15.130 and 15.131], respectively. The Panel concluded that the concern for genotoxicity is ruled out for [FL‐no: 15.018 and 15.005]. The concerns for gene mutations and clastogenicity are ruled out for [FL‐no: 15.032, 15.029, 15.030, 15.130 and 15.131]. In vitro, [FL‐no: 15.032] induced micronuclei through an aneugenic mode of action. The available in vivo micronucleus study was not adequate to rule out the concern for potential aneugenicity in vivo. The Panel compared the lowest concentration resulting in aneugenicity in vitro with the use levels reported for [FL‐no: 15.032]. Based on this comparison, the Panel concluded that the use of [FL‐no: 15.032] at the maximum reported use levels does not raise a concern for aneugenicity. Based on structural similarity, for the remaining four substances [FL‐no: 15.029, 15.030, 15.130 and 15.131], an aneugenic potential may also be anticipated. Individual genotoxicity data are needed to establish whether they have aneugenic potential. The Panel agrees with JECFA conclusions for 24 flavouring substances 'No safety concern at estimated levels of intake as flavouring substances' when based on the MSDI approach. For six substances, more reliable information on uses and use levels are needed to refine the mTAMDI estimates. For 15 substances, use levels are needed to calculate the mTAMDIs. For [FL‐no: 15.109 and 15.113], information on the actual stereochemical composition is inadequate and the conclusion reached for the named substances cannot be applied to the materials of commerce.

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