WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2136/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Novel food regulation No 258/97 - Genetically produced enzymes and additives
17. 3. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 82/33 (98/C 82/48) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2134/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 June 1997) Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 › Requirements for authorization: checking information supplied by manufacturers 1. Is the information supplied by manufacturers to be checked, at least on a sample basis? 2. If so, how will the risk of allergies be assessed in products, the novel ingredients of which have hitherto not normally been consumed or have not usually been contained in foodstuffs (e. g. proteins from bacteria from hot springs? Joint answer to Written Question E-2132/97 and E-2134/97 (20 October 1997) Article 6 of Regulation No 258/97 and, where applicable, Articles 7 (1) and Article 9 specify the information required for assessments and the ways in which they are to be carried out. Under the obligations laid down in Article 6, the procedures followed by the competent assessment bodies are the responsibility of the Member States. (98/C 82/49) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2136/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 June 1997) Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 › Genetically produced enzymes and additives Are there plans for activities for the European Union aimed at plugging the existing legislative gaps for the authorization of enzymes or additives produced with the aid of genetically modified micro-organisms which are not covered by either the novel food regulation or the additives regulation? Answer (20 October 1997) Article 2 of Regulation No 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients stipulates that food additives, flavourings for use in foodstuffs and extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs are not covered by the Regulation. However, these exclusions will only apply for so long as the safety laid down in the basic Directive correspond to the safety level of the Regulation concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients. The Honourable Member should also note that the Commission has stated that it confirms that should it appear, in the light of experience, that there are gaps in the system of protection of public health provided for by the existing legal framework, in particular in respect of processing aids, it will formulate appropriate proposals in order to fill those gaps (OJ L 43, 14. 2. 1997, p. 7). The date the Council has received no such proposal