Follow-up of the re-evaluation of glycerol (E 422) as a food additive

The profile of gastrointestinal dysfunction in prodromal to late-stage Parkinson's disease

Gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) may play a key role in Parkinson's disease (PD) but its relationship with disease progression remains unclear. We recruited 404 PD cases, 37 iRBD (isolated REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder) and 105 controls. Participants completed the Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Scale for PD (GIDS-PD) and standardised disease severity assessments. Whole gut transit time (WGTT) was measured by ingestion of blue dye and recorded time to blue stools appearance ('Blue Poop Challenge') in a subset of PD cases. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common and prevalent in iRBD and PD versus controls, and WGTT was significantly higher in PD versus controls. After adjustment for confounding factors, disease stage was not a significant predictor of GIDS-PD Constipation or Bowel Irritability scores. Longitudinal assessment of GIDS-PD scores and WGTT confirmed stability over a 4 year period. Bowel dysfunction may be a phenotypic feature in a subset of Parkinson's with implications for patient stratification and management.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes M, Aquilina G, Castle L, Degen G, Engel K, Fowler PJ, Frutos Fernandez MJ, Fürst P, Gundert‐Remy U, Gürtler R, Husøy T, Manco M, Mennes W, Moldeus P, Passamonti S, Shah R, Waalkens‐Berendsen I, Wright M, Batke M, Boon P, Bruzell E, Chipman J, Crebelli R, FitzGerald R, Fortes C, Halldorsson T, LeBlanc J, Lindtner O, Mortensen A, Ntzani E, Wallace H, Barmaz S, Civitella C, D'Angelo L, Lodi F, Laganaro M, Rincon AM, Smeraldi C, Tard A. Re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as a food additive

This opinion addresses the re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as food additive and an application for its exemption from the laxative warning label requirement as established under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Erythritol is a polyol obtained by fermentation with Moniliella pollinis BC or Moniliella megachiliensis KW3-6, followed by purifications and drying. Erythritol is readily and dose-dependently absorbed in humans and can be metabolised to erythronate to a small extent. Erythritol is then excreted unchanged in the urine. It does not raise concerns regarding genotoxicity. The dataset evaluated consisted of human interventional studies. The Panel considered that erythritol has the potential to cause diarrhoea in humans, which was considered adverse because its potential association with electrolyte and water imbalance. The lower bound of the range of no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) for diarrhoea of 0.5 g/kg body weight (bw) was identified as reference point. The Panel considered appropriate to set a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI) at the level of the reference point. An ADI of 0.5 g/kg bw per day was considered by the Panel to be protective for the immediate laxative effect as well as potential chronic effects, secondary to diarrhoea. The highest mean and 95th percentile chronic exposure was in children (742 mg/kg bw per day) and adolescents (1532 mg/kg bw per day). Acute exposure was maximally 3531 mg/kg bw per meal for children at the 99th percentile. Overall, the Panel considered both dietary exposure assessments an overestimation. The Panel concluded that the exposure estimates for both acute and chronic dietary exposure to erythritol (E 968) were above the ADI, indicating that individuals with high intake may be at risk of experiencing adverse effects after single and repeated exposure. Concerning the new application, the Panel concluded that the available data do not support the proposal for exemption.

Determination of process contaminants 2- and 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in palm-based glycerol by indirect analysis using GC-MS

Esters of 2- and 3-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE) and glycidol (GE) are regarded as process contaminants that are found in refined vegetable oils and oil-based foods. Since glycerol is produced during fat splitting, saponification and biodiesel production, it is important to have methods for determining contaminants that might be formed during these processes. Due to the use of glycerol as a food additive, data on the presence of compounds of toxicological concern, including 3-MCPD, are of interest. This study focuses on modifying the indirect analysis of 2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE and GE using GC-MS based on the AOCS Official Method Cd 29a-13, validating the modified method, and quantifying 2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE and GE in glycerol. The AOCS Cd 29a-13 method was modified at the initial stage of sample preparation in which the targeted esters were extracted from glycerol by vortex-assisted extraction before sample analysis. This modification was performed based on the polarity of all compounds involved. The calibration functions for all analytes were fitted to linear regression with R2 above 0.99. Limits of detection (LOD) 0.02, 0.01 and 0.02 mg kg-1 were obtained for 2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE and GE, respectively. Spiked glycerol with 3-MCPDE and 2-MCPDE (0.25, 0.51 and 1.01 mg kg-1) and GE (0.58, 1.16 and 2.32 mg kg-1) were used for recovery and precision measurements. Recoveries of 100-108%, 101-103%, and 93-99% were obtained for 2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE and GE, respectively. Acceptable precision levels with relative standard deviations ranged from 3.3% to 8.3% were obtained for repeatability and intermediate precision. The validated method was successfully applied for the analysis of the target compounds in refined glycerol from commercial plants, which showed that 2-MCPDE, 3-MCPDE and GE levels in the analysed samples were below the detection limit.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes M, Aquilina G, Degen G, Engel K, Fowler P, Frutos Fernandez MJ, Fürst P, Gürtler R, Husøy T, Manco M, Mennes W, Passamonti S, Moldeus P, Shah R, Waalkens‐Berendsen I, Wright M, Cheyns K, Fitzgerald R, Mirat M, Mortensen A, Ulbrich B, Woutersen R, Laganaro M, Rincon AM, Ruggeri L, Smeraldi C, Gundert‐Remy U. Follow-up of the re-evaluation of glycerol esters of wood rosins (E 445) as a food additive

Glycerol esters of wood rosin (GEWR) (E 445) were re-evaluated in 2018. On the toxicity database and given the absence of reproductive and developmental toxicity data, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 12.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for GEWR (E 445) established by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 1994 was considered temporary. The conclusions of the assessment were restricted to GEWR derived from Pinus palustris and Pinus elliottii and with a chemical composition in compliance with GEWR used in the toxicological testing. Following a European Commission call for data to submit data to fill the data gaps, the present follow-up opinion assesses data provided by interested business operators (IBOs). Considering the technical data submitted by IBOs, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF Panel) recommended some modifications of the existing EU specifications for E 445, mainly a revision of the definition of the food additive and lowering the limits for toxic elements. Considering the available toxicological database evaluated during the re-evaluation of E 445 by the ANS Panel in 2018, and the toxicological studies submitted by the IBOs, the Panel established an ADI of 10 mg/kg bw per day based on the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 976 mg/kg bw per day from the newly available dietary reproduction/developmental toxicity screening study in rats and applying an uncertainty factor of 100. Since GEWR from P. palustris and P. elliottii were tested in the toxicity studies considered to establish the ADI and in the absence of detailed information on the chemical composition (major constituents) in GEWR generated from other Pinus species, thus not allowing read across, the ADI is restricted to the GEWR (E 445) manufactured from P. palustris and P. elliottii. The Panel concluded that there was no safety concern for the use of GEWR (E 445), at either the maximum permitted levels or at the reported uses and use levels.