Specific Food Categories Research Articles

Sex-specific dietary habits and their association with weight change in healthy adults

BackgroundDietary intake plays a pivotal role in the prevalence and management of obesity. While women and men exhibit differences in dietary habits and food-related behaviors, sex-based weight loss recommendations are lacking. This study aims to examine the impact of specific foods and food categories on weight reduction in men and women over a two-year period.MethodsA total of 8,548 participants from the 10K cohort, from 2019 to 2023, were included in the analysis (53.1% women, mean age 51.7 years). Anthropometric measurements and laboratory results were collected at baseline and at the two-year follow-up visit. Dietary assessment was based on daily food intake digitally logged through an application for at least 3 consecutive days at both timepoints. We compared intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, food groups and daily energy consumption between sex and body mass index (BMI) categories at baseline and weight change categories at follow-up. Using linear regression, we assessed the associations between food categories or specific foods and BMI at baseline as well as weight change percentage at follow-up.ResultsDietary habits varied by BMI and sex. Women and men living with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) reported a greater intake of animal-based protein and lower intake of plant-based proteins and fats at baseline, as compared to participants with normal weight. In linear regression models predicting two-year weight change, including age, income, and baseline weight, the explained variance was 5.6% for men and 5.8% for women. Adding food categories and specific foods increased the explained variance to 20.6% for men and 17.5% for women. Weight reduction in men was linked to daily consumption of an egg (1.2% decrease) and beef (1.5% decrease), while in women, the most pronounced reductions were associated with an apple (1.2% decrease) and cashew nuts (3.4% decrease). Notably, total energy intake changes significantly impacted weight outcomes only in women.ConclusionsSex-specific dietary habits significantly influence weight change over time. In men, weight loss was primarily associated with the addition of animal-based protein, while in women, it was linked to caloric deficit and plant-based fat, suggesting that sex-based nutritional interventions may demonstrate greater efficacy.Trial registrationNCT05817734 (retrospectively registered January 31, 2023).

Evidence of anthropogenic subsidisation of red foxes in a national park important for breeding wading birds

AbstractThe red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a generalist mesopredator found throughout the UK. It has been linked to national declines in native wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds such as waders. In the New Forest National Park, nest predation and poor chick survival is primarily responsible for low breeding success of Eurasian curlew (Numenius arguata), a species of high conservation concern. To reduce predation losses, foxes are lethally controlled by wildlife managers. Here, we identified the major food resources that are being exploited by foxes in the New Forest area and examined temporal and spatial patterns in the presence of specific food categories, with special reference to anthropogenic food. Stomachs from foxes culled in curlew breeding areas were collected from April 2021 - July 2022 and the contents of these stomachs were quantified. Foxes exhibited a highly varied diet with no single food category predominating. Anthropogenic food comprised 14% of the overall diet, with its presence predicted by proximity to human settlements and other infrastructure. We also estimated the total annual volume of anthropogenic food consumed by the fox population and by extension how many individual foxes this volume of food could support in isolation. According to these calculations, at present the number of foxes subsidised by anthropogenic food is approximately 64.8% (50.2–79.7%) of those removed by culling per year. Our findings highlight that better local food sanitation and education should become important parts of a more holistic management approach to reduce the burden of fox predation experienced by breeding waders.

Summary of legal regulation of additional mandatory particulars for specific types or categories of foods according to the regulation FIC

The paper presents a summary of the legal treatment of additional mandatory particulars for specific types or categories of foods under Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004. The authors of the paper analyse and interpret the relevant legislation using traditional methods of legal analysis and legal-hermeneutical methods, with an emphasis on the linguistic and systematic interpretation of those provisions that are directly related to the indication of additional mandatory particulars for foods packaged in certain gases, foods containing sweeteners, foods containing glycyrrhizinic acid or its ammonium salt, Beverages with high caffeine content or foods with added caffeine, Foods with added phytosterols, phytosterol esters, phytostanols or phytostanol esters, and frozen meat, frozen meat preparations and frozen unprocessed fishery products. The paper's authors aim to provide the reader with a comprehensive summary of the legislation on the indication of additional mandatory particulars for specific types or categories of food.

The actionability of household food waste reduction

While technically feasible, completely avoiding certain waste in real-life may be challenging. We construct the concept of actionability to classify six causes for household food waste based on the difficulty of action to address them. Using data from an online survey of 1746 consumers from China, we show that the actionability-adjusted food waste is 2.4 to 10.6 percentage points lower than the traditional measure, translating to up to 7.2 million tons or $26.5 billion in reduced waste in 2019. The main causes of food waste are similar in total food and four main specific categories of food. Our statistical models show that consumer demographic characteristics also interact with the levels of actionability among different types of food. Our findings can advance the measurement of and the creation of more realistic and effective policies to reduce household food waste.

A method validation of determination of melamine in marketed infant formula and milk powder of Iran

Melamine is a recognized food contaminant that can arise incidentally or intentionally in specific categories of food. This study aimed to validate the melamine detection and quantification in infant formula and milk powders and also analyzed 40 samples consist of infant formula and milk powders from commercially available food products, from different geographic regions of Iran. The approximate content of melamine in samples was measured by High-performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet (HPLC–UV) system. A calibration curve (R2 = 0.9925) was established for detection of melamine in the range of 0.1–1.2 μg mL−1. Limit of quantification and limit of detection were 1 μg mL−1 and 3 μg mL−1, respectively. The presence of melamine in infant formula and milk powdered was investigated and it was observed that the amount of melamine in samples of infant formulas and milk powders was 0.001–0.095 mg kg−1 and 0.001–0.004 mg kg−1, respectively. These values were found to be within the prescribed limits by the European Union and Codex Alimentarius Commission legislation. It is important to note that the consumption of these dairy products, which contain low content of melamine, does not pose any significant threat to consumer health. Furthermore, the results of the risk assessment confirmed this issue.

Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl compounds in commercially available baby food produced in different European countries - levels, dietary intake, and exposure assessment

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in commercial baby food products from various European countries was investigated in this study. A total of 96 samples were collected and analyzed to assess PFASs levels, composition profiles, and potential dietary intake among infants. The results indicated detectable levels of PFASs in the sampled baby food products, with carboxylic acid prevalence over sulfonic acids. Among the various baby food groups studied, dry cereals exhibited the highest PFASs concentrations. This finding emphasizes the need for further monitoring and investigation of PFASs contamination in this specific food category. While the concentrations detected were generally low, they indicated the widespread presence of PFASs in various types of baby food. Furthermore, a preliminary exposure assessment was conducted on the basis of the measured PFASs concentrations, providing an initial insight into the potential exposure levels among infants from three months to three years old. Calculations based on two scenario types revealed the best-case scenario likely underestimating actual exposure, while the worst-case scenario occasionally exceeded the limits set by the governmental institutions. Further research is needed to understand the sources, pathways, and potential health effects of PFASs exposure in this vulnerable population.

The influence of food prices on what we purchase, prepare and eat. Survey results and implications for the Heart Foundation’s work

Healthy eating is a struggle for many families in New Zealand when they cannot adequately afford food. Statistics New Zealand has shown that the food price index rose 12.5 percent over the past year with an increase of 22 percent for fruit and vegetables prices(1). Food prices now rate as the number one concern for New Zealanders(2). To understand the changes households are making in response to increasing food prices 109 main household shoppers were surveyed. The survey was administered via Qualtrics in May/June 2023. Participants were recruited via social media and by direct email from researchers and Heart Foundation staff. Survey participants were asked about food prices, shopping behaviours and changes within specific food categories. Two thirds of the participants were female. The predominant age groups were 20-29 years (29%) and 60 and above (28%). The major ethnicities were European (53%), Pasifika (20%) and Māori (8%). Around 46% of people lived in Auckland with the next highest area being Nelson (and wider Tasman). The results showed 85% of participants expected food prices to get worse over the next year. To manage rising food prices 70% people had changed where they shopped or how they accessed food, 90% changed what they buy and 67% had changed the way they eat (e.g., cooking more at home). The most substantial changes were in the fruit and vegetable category where people changed the types purchased (73%) and purchased less (63%). In many food categories buying cheaper brands, in bulk and when foods were on special were common responses. Rationing or going without was a consistent theme highlighted with meat/poultry, eggs, fish, alcohol and more expensive snack foods. The implications for the Heart Foundation’s work include (1) reinforcing the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet and to provide tips and tools around ingredient substitution, (2) promote alternative protein sources (e.g., beans and legumes) as an affordable ingredient and recipes to support their use and (3) supporting companies to improve the composition of cheaper brands through food reformulation. With this being a small sample size, it may not be fully generalisable to the entire population however given the survey found a high percentage of people making changes it does indicate the important role health agencies can play providing information, and advice to support people to manage high food prices.

A nutritional modelling framework for inclusion in a Norwegian food system model

The aim of this study was to apply a comprehensive mathematical model designed to assess the current and future availability of food, as well as the resulting nutrient availability and intake, in the context of the Norwegian population. The model explores various scenarios, including self-sufficiency levels for food supply and impacts on nutrition recommendations. A food mass balance charting production, import, export, feed, seed, and consumer allocation in the Norwegian food system provided insights into the nutrients available to the population. The analysis included a comparison with two versions of the Nordic Nutrient Recommendations (NNR)1, with the latest version recommending substantial changes in food consumption compared to current dietary patterns in Norway. The nutrient analysis compared the food mass to Matvaretabellen2 and was supplemented with data from the United Nations World Population Prospects3 and the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation/United Nations4 report to ensure comprehensive nutrient analysis. Micronutrient gaps were observed in Iodine (94% of the target intake) and Vitamin D (46% of the target intake), while saturated-fatty acids slightly exceeded the recommended requirements (107% of the upper limit) based on the current baseline scenario. The updated NNR4 recommends changes to specific food categories, namely fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. A secondary scenario testing compared against the updated NNR found that increasing the availability of the supply of these groups does not result in any new nutrient gaps, demonstrating the feasibility of addressing the issue on a national supply basis. These approach offers a mathematical-modelling based tool that can be used to provide information for a national food system. Leveraging the model’s capacity to simulate various scenarios, informed decisions to optimise self-sufficiency levels and align food supply with recommended nutritional guidelines can be made. To improve the model, higher data resolution and clearer categorisation of food groups are required which can then be linked into a more complete national food system. The mathematical model presented in this study provides a framework for understanding of food and nutrient availability in Norway. By identifying critical nutrient gaps and potential solutions, this research contributes knowledge for a healthier and sustainable food future for the nation.

Changing food preferences and choices – A framework for analyzing households food purchases over time

Scientific interest in food consumption has grown significantly in recent decades due to its profound implications for individuals’ and societies’ health and wellbeing and implications for domestic and global systems sustainability. Food purchases can be directly and indirectly related to household and consumer characteristics. While food purchase habits may be dynamic and influenced by changing circumstances over the years, most related research presents a snapshot of the studied issues within a single year or period or focus on a specific social group or food commodity. This paper introduces and illustrates a framework for analyzing household food purchasing clusters over a period of time. It uses data from over 120,000 households in Israel to analyze household food purchases over two decades. The analysis segments the population into clusters and accounts for their food purchases through an extensive bottom-up approach. It identifies several major clusters, including small and large families and young and elderly households, each representing a unique range of food purchase patterns and a different share of the overall society. It analyses different levels of consumption, from broad categories to specific products, and examines the relationships between food purchases and household characteristics. Examining specific food categories and commodities illustrates a complex trend over the research period, including rising demand for beef, poultry, and soft drinks, steady patterns of consumption of frozen and canned vegetables and oils, and a clear decline in demand for dairy, grain, and sugar products.

Food Traceability Rule Overview: A Guide for Florida Food Industry

The FSMA's Traceability Rule, finalized in 2022, aims to establish a comprehensive system for tracking specific foods along the value chain from farm to fork, to prevent and respond to foodborne illnesses more effectively. The industry should implement the rule by 2026. This revision is part of the FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint and implements Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FDA's Final Traceability Rule initially focuses on specific food categories identified as higher risk for contamination and foodborne illnesses. These categories are referred to as the "Food Traceability List" (FTL). In this EDIS publication, we have provided to the food industry background information and an overview of the rule's key components and the foods covered by it. Additionally, available resources have been compiled in a table to help the industry understand the rule better and find more information about it.

Bioaccessibility-corrected probabilistic health risk assessment of dietary metal(loid) exposure in six major food groups in children from Northwest China

Dietary exposure to heavy metals and metalloids [metal(loid)s] deserves increased attention; however, there is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the risks of dietary exposure from multi-type food intake and multi-metal(loid) exposure using a bioaccessibility-corrected method. Here, we determined the concentration and bioaccessibility of six toxic metal(loid)s in six major food groups in an industrial city with intensive smelting activity. By incorporating children’s dietary patterns, the probability distribution of health risks from dietary metal(loid)s exposure was assessed. Marked differences were observed in the dietary exposure characteristics within metal(loid)s and major food groups. Cereal and vegetables were the major food groups local children intake. Cereals, meat, beans, and aquatic products had the highest concentrations of Cu and Cd, Pb and Cr, Ni, and As, respectively. Generally, meat, eggs, and aquatic products exhibited higher bioaccessibility than cereals, beans, and vegetables. The bioaccessibility of metal(loid)s decreased in the following order: Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Cd. For non-carcinogenic risks, the average hazard index was 7.3, with 99.6% exceeding acceptable levels. Arsenic was the dominant risk element and aquatic product was the main risk source. The aggregated carcinogenic risk was 3.4 × 10–3, with Cr the major risk contributor and cereals and meat the dominant food sources. The findings demonstrated that (1) the metal(loid) dietary exposure risk of children from areas with intensive smelting activities should be taken seriously, and (2) it is necessary to identify the specific food category and metal(loid) based on a comprehensive analysis of the metal(loid) concentration and bioaccessibility, and dietary habits of the population to effectively reduce risk.

Food deprivation among adults in India: an analysis of specific food categories, 2016–2021

Adult undernourishment remains pervasive throughout India, and often results from food deprivation, which refers to the inadequate consumption of foods with caloric and nutrient significance. Therefore, understanding the extent to which food groups are missing from an individual's diet is essential to understanding the extent to which they are undernourished. We used data from two National Family Health Surveys conducted in 2016 and 2021 for this cross-sectional analysis. The study population consisted of women and pregnant women between the ages of 15-49, and men between the ages of 15-54. We examined shifts in the percentage of people not consuming dairy, pulses/beans/legumes, dark leafy green vegetables, fruits, eggs, and fish and meat among women, pregnant women, and men between the two time points. We also examined these patterns by household wealth and education, two important markers of socioeconomic status. Overall, we found that fewer women, pregnant women, and men were not eating each of the six food groups in 2021 than in 2016. Additionally, the gap in food group consumption between women, pregnant women, and men in the lowest and highest socioeconomic groups shrank between 2016 and 2021. Yet, food group deprivation remained most prevalent among those in the lowest socioeconomic groups. The two exceptions for this were for eggs and meat/fish. Nevertheless, the majority of India's poorest and least educated adults are not consuming high-quality protein sources, including dairy, the consumption of which is far more common among wealthier and more educated Indian adults. Our results show that fewer adults were not consuming important food groups in 2021 than in 2016. However, many of India's poorest and least educated adults are still not consuming high-quality sources of protein or fruits, two food groups that are essential for good health. While adults might be getting protein and nutrients from pulses, legumes, beans, and other vegetables, efforts are needed to improve affordability of, and access to, high-quality sources of protein and fruits. This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, INV-002992.

Bayesian-Based Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Fipronil in Food: A Case Study in Taiwan.

Fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide, is widely used in agriculture and veterinary practices. Fipronil-induced neurotoxicity and potential adverse effects on humans and aquatic organisms have raised health concerns. Monitoring programs have been implemented globally to assess fipronil residues in food, including fruits, vegetables, and animal products. However, previous exposure assessments have often focused on specific food categories or subsets of items, resulting in limited insights into the overall health risks. Additionally, the large number of non-detect fipronil residues in food has introduced uncertainties in exposure assessment. To address these issues, a probabilistic exposure assessment and dose-response analysis were adopted in this study, considering the sample distribution below the detection limit to better characterize uncertainties and population variability in health risk assessments. The estimated fipronil exposure to the general public ranges from 6.38 × 10-6 ± 0.00017 mg/kg/day to 9.83 × 10-6 ± 0.00034 mg/kg/day. Only one out of 200,000 simulated individuals had a fipronil dose exceeding the probabilistic reference dose (0.048 mg/kg/day, pRfD), which aims to protect 99% of the population with effects less than 10% extra risk. By incorporating uncertainties in exposure and dose-response data, a more comprehensive understanding of the health risks associated with fipronil exposure in the Taiwanese population has been achieved.

Dairy, Meat, Seafood, and Plant Sources of Saturated Fat: United States, Ages Two Years and Over, 2017–2020

BackgroundResearch suggests that the effects of saturated fat (SF) on health differ depending on its food source. Dairy SF has been associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, whereas meat SF is linked to a higher CVD risk. ObjectivesTo estimate the contribution to the total intake of SF of 1) 5 food groups - dairy, meats, seafood, plants, and “other,” and 2) the top 10 specific food category sources in the United States population overall and by sociodemographic subgroup. MethodsThe analysis included data from 11,798 participants in the 2017–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged 2+ y. Grams of SF from the food sources expressed as a percentage of the total grams of SF consumed, were estimated using the population ratio method. ResultsMean daily intake of SF was 28.1 g [95% confidence interval (CI): 27.6–28.6 g], comprising 11.9% (95% CI: 11.7–12.1%) of total energy intake. Dairy contributed 28.4% of SF, followed by meats (22.1%), plant sources (7.5%), fish and seafood (1.2%), and the remaining foods (41.6%). Youth had higher SF intake from dairy than adults (P < 0.001), whereas non-Hispanic Whites had higher intake than non-Hispanic Blacks (P < 0.001) and Hispanics (P = 0.016). Adults had higher SF intake from meats than youth (P = 0.002), males more than females (P < 0.001), and non-Hispanic Blacks more than non-Hispanic Asians (P = 0.016) and Hispanics (P < 0.001). The top 10 specific sources of SF were unprocessed red meats, sweet bakery products, cured meats, milk, cheese, pizza, unprocessed poultry, Mexican mixed dishes, eggs, and combined fruits and vegetables. ConclusionsAlthough dairy contributed ∼30% of SF compared to ∼20% for total meat, the top specific food category source of SF was unprocessed red meats, which ranked in the top 2 food category sources of SF for most subgroups. These findings may be useful for further research to examine the relationship between the different sources of SF and health outcomes.

The Role of Diet during Pregnancy in Protecting against Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Population with Mediterranean Dietary Habits: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder among pregnant women. Dietary habits during pregnancy might alter the risk of GDM development, and populations following the Mediterranean diet are relatively understudied. This was a cross-sectional, observational study of 193 low-risk women admitted to a private maternity hospital in Greece to give birth. Food frequency data on specific food categories, selected based on previous research, were analyzed. Logistic regression models, both crude and adjusted for maternal age, body mass index before pregnancy, and gestational weight gain, were fitted. We observed no association of carbohydrate-rich meals, sweets, soft drinks, coffee, rice, pasta, bread and crackers, potatoes, lentils, and juices with GDM diagnosis. Cereals (crude p = 0.045, adjusted p = 0.095) and fruits and vegetables (crude p = 0.07, adjusted p = 0.04) appeared to have a protective effect against GDM, while frequent tea consumption was linked to higher risk of GDM development (crude p = 0.067, adjusted p = 0.035). These results strengthen previously identified associations and underline the importance and potential impact of changing dietary habits even during pregnancy in adjusting one's risk of metabolic pregnancy complications, such as GDM. The importance of healthy dietary habits is highlighted, with the goal of raising awareness amongst obstetric care specialists regarding the provision of systematic nutrition recommendations to pregnant women.

How COVID-19 Pandemic Has Influenced Public Interest in Foods: A Google Trends Analysis of Italian Data.

Controversy exists about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary habits, with studies demonstrating both benefits and drawbacks of this period. We analyzed Google Trends data on specific terms and arguments related to different foods (i.e., fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, milk, red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages) in order to evaluate the interest of Italian people before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joinpoint regression models were applied to identify the possible time points at which public interest in foods changed (i.e., joinpoints). Interestingly, public interest in specific food categories underwent substantial changes during the period under examination. While some changes did not seem to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., legumes and red meat), public interest in fruit, vegetables, milk, and whole grains increased significantly, especially during the first lockdown. It should be noted, however, that the interest in food-related issues returned to prepandemic levels after the first lockdown period. Thus, more efforts and ad hoc designed studies should be encouraged to evaluate the duration and direction of the COVID-19 pandemic's influence.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Households Income and Food Security in Afghanistan: Case Study of Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Balkh

This research project aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on the economic implications of COVID-19 by investigating its effects on household income and food security in four large urban areas of Afghanistan. The research collected primary data at the household level in Afghanistan through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire from 400 households in Kabul, Balkh, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. Socio-economic characteristics, income-generating activities, nutrition and food security situation, and consumption of specific categories of food in the Afghan household were evaluated through qualitative and quantitative empirical analysis. In addition to a comprehensive descriptive statistic, the Probit regression model was employed to evaluate the effects of the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic on income-generating activities, food insecurity, and the dietary quality of Afghan households in three different scenarios. The findings mapped out a picture of the food security situation of Afghan households in urban areas before the COVID-19 crisis and after they were hit by this crisis including the induced economic implications. The results provide some insights for concluding policy implications for the interested bodies at national and international levels.

Identifying interventions to reduce household food waste based on food categories

Household food waste is a global problem that is often tackled by focusing on key behaviours leading to overall food waste. An important entry point to develop interventions is to understand food category-specific behavioural links to household food waste. However, there is a limited focus on this approach in the food waste literature. This paper examines various behavioural drivers influencing the wastage of six specific food categories - fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and seafood, bakery, frozen foods, and packaged and pantry food. Using a large representative sample (n = 5272) and Tobit regression methods, it analyses the wastage of each food category and associated behavioural factors including food storing, shopping, disposal and food labelling. We find that the households’ perceptions on the safe consumption of food after the best before date has a significant negative association with all food waste categories. Fruit and vegetable waste is by far the largest food waste category in terms of food waste amount. Results also reveal that overprovisioning leads to more food waste in fruits and vegetables, dairy and frozen foods. Households’ preference to consume freshest possible food also results in more bread and bakery waste, and packaged and pantry food waste, than other food categories investigated. Food storage interventions offer the most promising entry point for reducing waste in the food categories analysed. The findings are useful when devising and prioritising food category based behavioural intervention strategies to reduce household food waste.

Scientific opinion on flavouring group evaluation 415 (FGE.415): (E)-3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-N,N-diphenyl-2-propenamide.

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) was requested to evaluate the safety of the substance (E)‐3‐benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl‐N,N‐diphenyl‐2‐propenamide [FL‐no: 16.135] as a new flavouring substance, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008. The substance has not been reported to occur naturally and it is chemically synthesised. It is intended to be used as a flavouring substance in specific categories of food, but not intended to be used in beverages. The chronic dietary exposure to [FL‐no: 16.135] estimated using the added portions exposure technique (APET), is calculated to be 780 μg/person per day for a 60‐kg adult and 480 μg/person per day for a 15‐kg 3‐year‐old child. [FL‐no: 16.135] did not show genotoxic effects in bacterial mutagenicity and mammalian cell micronucleus assays in vitro. Developmental toxicity was not observed in a study in rats at the dose levels up to 1,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. The Panel derived a BMDL of 101 mg/kg bw per day from a 90‐day toxicity study. Based on this BMDL, adequate margins of exposure of 7,800 and 3,200 could be calculated for adults and children, respectively. The Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for [FL‐no: 16.135], when used as a flavouring substance at the estimated level of dietary exposure calculated using the APET approach, based on the intended uses and use levels as specified in Appendix B. The Panel further concluded that the combined exposure to [FL‐no: 16.135] from its use as a food flavouring substance and from its presence in toothpaste is also not of safety concern.

Safety of pea and rice protein fermented by Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycelia as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

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 pea and rice protein fermented by Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) mycelia as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a mixture of fermented pea and rice protein concentrates (65% and 35%, respectively). The NF is proposed to be used as a food ingredient in specific food categories. The target population is the general population. The major constituent of this NF is protein (≥ 75% dry weight), which is well digestible and provides sufficient amounts of essential amino acids. Although a tolerable upper intake level (UL) has not been derived for protein, the protein intake from the NF may nevertheless further contribute to an already high dietary protein intake in Europe. The Panel notes that the cumulative exposure to the nutrients and contaminants analysed does not raise concern. The reported values for the levels of antinutritional factors in the NF are comparable to those in other foodstuffs. The Panel considers that taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. No toxicological studies with the NF were provided by the applicant; however, the Panel considers that no toxicological studies are required for this NF. The NF has the potential capacity to sensitise individuals or to induce allergic reactions in individuals allergic to pea, rice and Shiitake mushroom. However, this risk is expected not to be higher than that resulting from the normal consumption of pea, rice or the fruiting body of the Shiitake mushroom. The Panel considers that the NF is safe at the proposed conditions of use.