Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

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 8 February 2011 the company Bioiberica S.A. made a request to the competent authorities of the United Kingdom to place rooster comb extract on the market as a novel food ingredient.

On 25 October 2011 the competent food assessment body of the United Kingdom issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that rooster comb extract for use in certain foods at the levels proposed by the applicant meets the criteria set out in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

On 10 November 2011 the Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to the other Member States.

Reasoned objections were raised within the 60 day period laid down in the second subparagraph of Article 6(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97. In particular, questions concerning the specifications and possible allergenicity of the product were raised.

On 22 May 2012 the Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asking it to carry out an additional assessment for rooster comb extract as food ingredient in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

On 31 May 2013 the Authority adopted a Scientific Opinion on the rooster comb extract^f2, concluding that it is safe under the proposed uses and use levels.

The Scientific Opinion gives sufficient grounds to establish that rooster comb extract in the proposed uses and use levels 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: