Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients^f1, and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

On 4 March 2004 Südzucker AG made a request to the competent authorities of Germany to place isomaltulose on the market as a novel food or novel food ingredient.

On 1 October 2004 the competent food assessment body of Germany issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that the proposed uses for isomaltulose are safe for human consumption.

The Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to all Member States on 30 November 2004.

Within the 60-day period laid down in Article 6(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 reasoned objections to the marketing of the product were raised in accordance with that provision. The objections/comments were discussed with Member States at the meeting of the Standing Committee on 14 February 2005 in connection with the first request for the placing on the Community market of isomaltulose submitted by Cargill.

As regards the nutrition information included in the labelling and advertising of foods containing isomaltulose, Council Directive 90/496/EEC of 24 September 1990 on nutrition labelling for foodstuffs^f2 applies.

On the basis of the initial assessment report, it is established that isomaltulose complies with the criteria laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: