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 12 October 2004 the company Wacker Chemie made a request to the competent authorities of Belgium to place alpha-cyclodextrin on the market as a novel food ingredient.

On 29 June 2005 the competent food assessment body of Belgium issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that alpha-cyclodextrin is safe for human consumption.

The Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to all Member States on 28 September 2005.

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.

Therefore the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted on 28 October 2006.

On 6 July 2007 EFSA adopted the ‘Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on a request from the Commission related to the safety of alpha-cyclodextrin’.

In the opinion the panel came to the conclusion that there are no safety concerns at the proposed use levels and anticipated consumption of alpha-cyclodextrin.

On the basis of the scientific assessment, it is established that alpha-cyclodextrin 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: