Page 171 - CW E-Magazine (12-11-2024)

News from Abroad

PRODUCT SAFETY
European authorities confirm safety of silica as food

additive

The European Food Safety Autho- EFSA’s assessment was investigating According to Mr. Emmanuel Auer,
rity (EFSA) has confirmed that silica potential risks related to nanoparticles head of the silica business line of
is safe to use in food, including infant in SAS. EFSA found that these particles German chemicals firm, Evonik, which
and baby food. In its recent scientific tend to clump together into larger parti- produces special grades of SAS for
opinion on silicon dioxide as food cles when used in food, meaning they food applications, the EFSA opinion
additive ‘E 551’, published on 17th do not pose a safety risk at the current strengthens end-consumer confidence
October 2024, the EFSA Panel on Food levels used. Instead of setting a specific in safe food ingredients that comply
Additives and Flavourings concluded limit for daily intake, EFSA used a with regulatory standards.
that E 551 does not raise safety con- safety margin approach to confirm the
cerns. This applies for all population additive’s safety. “As a free-flow and anti-caking
groups, including infants under 16 agent for powdered foods, silica
weeks of age, at the current usage Silica was approved as a food ad- ensures, for example, that milk powder
level. ditive in the 1960s and continues to be and vegetable powders do not clump
widely used across the food industry. during processing and storage, and that
E 551, also known as synthetic EFSA confirmed that SAS is largely spices trickle finely from the shaker,”
amorphous silica (SAS), is commonly insoluble in water and is mostly excreted noted Mr. Jean-Louis Philippe, Global
used as an anti-caking agent to prevent by the body after consumption. While Marketing Director & Regional Head
clumping in powdered foods, spices earlier studies had raised concerns EMEA Specialty Silica. Evonik has
and milk powder. It enhances efficiency, about potential genotoxicity, EFSA’s been producing silica for more than
handling and sustainability in a wide panel concluded that E 551 poses no 80 years using the same production
range of food products. A key part of genotoxic risk. processes.
RECOGNITION
‘IFF Science Awards’ honours two leading academics

for achievements in biosciences

US-based makers of fragrances and sis of carbohydrates, which has enabled
flavours, IFF, recently presented two a more systematic exploration of their
leading university scientists with ‘IFF diverse functionalities. His contribu-
Science Awards’ for their work in ad- tions have had a profound impact on
vancing the future of food, nutrition both academic research and industrial
and health. applications.

The awards recognise individuals Dr. Sanz was recognised for her
for their remarkable achievements in pioneering contributions to human micro-
the field of science, specifically within Spain. The year, the ‘IFF Science biome science investigating the rela-
food, the microbiome, nutrition, health, Awards’ include a $30,000 prize to each tionships between the gut microbiome
biocatalysis and sustainability. This recipient. and celiac disease. This work recently
year’s recipients are Dr. Tom Desmet, extended to exploring the role of the gut
Ph.D. of Ghent University in Belgium, Dr. Desmet was selected for his microbiome in obesity and stress-related
and Dr. Yolanda Sanz, Ph.D., of the groundbreaking work in the field of disorders. Her work has been pivotal in
Institute of Agrochemistry and Food biocatalysis. He has dedicated his sci- advancing the knowledge of complex
Technology (IATA) and the Spanish entific career to the identification and interactions between diet, microbiota,
Research Council (CSIC) in Valencia, design of new enzymes for the synthe- and health and its translation to society.

Chemical Weekly November 5, 2024 171

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised