EFSA - European Food Safety Authority

01/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/25/2024 04:48

Safety of HelixComplex snail mucus (HSM) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Safety of HelixComplex snail mucus (HSM) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Published:
24 January 2024
Adopted:
29 November 2023
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Keywords
food supplement, novel foods, snail, snail mucus
Question Number
EFSA-Q-2019-00388
Panel members at the time of adoption
Dominique Turck, Torsten Bohn, Jacqueline Castenmiller, Stefaan De Henauw, Karen Ildico Hirsch-Ernst, Helle Katrine Knutsen, Alexandre Maciuk, Inge Mangelsdorf, Harry J McArdle, Androniki Naska, Kristina Pentieva, Alfonso Siani, Frank Thies, Sophia Tsabouri, and Marco Vinceti.

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on HelixComplex Snail Mucus (HSM) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF consists of snail mucus collected from Helix aspersa maxima and is proposed to be used by adults as a food supplement. The data provided by the applicant about the composition and stability of the NF together with the report of the subchronic toxicity study were overall considered unsatisfactory. The Panel noted inconsistencies in the reporting of the certificates of analysis and of the data on the subchronic toxicity provided by the applicant. Owing to these deficiencies, the Panel cannot establish a safe intake level of the NF. The Panel concludes that the safety of the NF has not been established.

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