A 21-day safety evaluation of biotechnologically produced 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) in neonatal farm piglets to support use in infant formulas.

3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL) is one of the most abundant fucosylated oligosaccharides in human breast milk and is an approved infant formula ingredient world-wide. 3-FL functions as a prebiotic to promote early microbial colonization of the gut, increase pathogen resistance and modulate immune responses. To investigate safety and potential gut microbiota effects, 3-FL was fed for 21-days to farm piglets beginning on Postnatal Day (PND) 2.

Safety assessment of the biotechnologically produced human-identical milk oligosaccharide 3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL).

3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL), a highly abundant complex carbohydrate in human breast milk, functions as a prebiotic promoting early microbial colonization of the gut, increasing pathogen resistance and modulating immune responses. To investigate potential health benefits, 3-FL was produced by fermentation using a genetically modified E. coli K12 strain.

Inventory of microbial species with a rationale: a comparison of the IDF/EFFCA inventory of microbial food cultures with the EFSA Biohazard Panel qualified presumption of safety.

In order to provide a harmonised preassessment to support risk assessment performed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Biohazard Panel in 2007 published guidelines for evaluation of the safety of a strain included in the food chain, the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS). Since 2008, the Biohazard Panel has published on a regular basis an update of the microbial strains submitted for approval and extends the list of species which have been granted QPS status. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the European Food and Feed Cultures Association (EFFCA) have, since 2002, been conducting a project on the safety demonstration of microbial food cultures (MFCs).

Safety evaluation of Evesse EPC, an apple polyphenol extract rich in flavan-3-ols.

The safety of the apple polyphenol extract EvesseEPC, which is rich in flavan-3-ols, particularly epicatechin, was evaluated. Both in a bacterial reverse mutation test and a mouse lymphoma assay, EvesseEPC showed a positive response in vitro. In vivo studies (UDS test in hepatocytes, bone marrow micronucleus test and comet assay in intestinal cells) were all negative and hence Evesse EPC is considered not to have genotoxic properties in vivo.

28-Day oral toxicity study in rats with high purity barley beta-glucan (Glucagel).

Beta-glucans are glucose polymers present in cereal grains, particularly barley and oat. Consumption of these grains or concentrated beta-glucan preparations has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. The present study was conducted to assess the safety of a high purity (>75%) barley beta-glucan (Glucagel).