Safety Assessment RP1057 Outcome of assessment of the extension of use of mono- and diglycerides (E 471)

An application was submitted to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) in April 2021 from Apeel Sciences, USA (“the Applicant”) for the authorisation of an extension of use authorisation for mono- and di- glycerides of fatty acids to include a number of fruits. This Application is being considered within the food additives regime. The Applicant intends to apply mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids to form a lipidbased layer to extend the quality and shelf life of produce by regulating moisture loss and oxidation using their product, Edipeel. The application is seeking to extend the usage of mono- and diglycerides within the food category: 4.1.1 ‘Entire fresh fruits and vegetables’ to include passionfruit, kiwi, apples, pears, stone fruit (peaches, nectarines and plums), cherries, berries (strawberries and blueberries), cucumbers, asparagus, tomatoes, and peppers at the level of quantum satis. To support the FSA and FSS in evaluating the dossier the Additives, Enzymes and other regulated products Joint Expert Group (AEJEG) were asked to provide a partial risk assessment on the information provided within the dossier and the supplementary information from the applicant. The AEJEG concluded that mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids were safe under the proposed conditions of use. The Committee on Toxicity (COT) also reviewed the AEJEG safety assessment agreeing with the conclusions of the AEJEG. The views of the AEJEG and COT have been presented below within this safety assessment which represents the opinion of the FSA and FSS on this extension of use of mono- and diglycerides.