Opinion on the re-evaluation of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as food additive for uses in foods for all population groups

Lecithins (E 322) were re-evaluated in 2017 by the former EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient sources added to Food (ANS). As follow-up to that assessment, the Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) was requested to assess the safety of lecithins (E 322) for uses as food additive in food for infants below 16 weeks of age belonging to food categories 13.1.1 and 13.1.5.1 and as carry over in line with Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. In addition, the FAF Panel was requested to address the issues identified during the re-evaluation of the food additive (E 322). The process involved the publication of a call for data to allow the interested business operators to provide the requested information to complete the risk assessment. Based on the information submitted in response to the call for data, the FAF Panel considered it feasible to amend the EU specifications, in particular for the toxic elements arsenic, lead, mercury and introduce new specifications for cadmium and microbiological criteria. The safety issue identified by the ANS Panel in 2017 concerned potential neurodevelopmental effects. For the reason that choline is a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the Panel considered it appropriate to address the safety of lecithins (E 322) as food additive in infant formula used in infants below the age of 16 weeks by comparing the concentration of choline in human milk with that in the formula. The Panel concluded that the intake of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive in infant formula belonging to FC 13.1.1 or in food for special medical purposes belonging to FC 13.1.5.1 does not raise safety concerns up to the maximum permitted level (MPL) of lecithins (E 322).

Modification of the terms of authorisation of lecithins as a feed additive for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the modification of the terms of authorisation of lecithins as a feed additive for all animal species. Lecithins are currently authorised for use in feed for all animal species (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2325). The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion of the additive lecithins in 2016. The Panel concluded that lecithins are safe for the target species, the consumer, the user and the environment, and that they are efficacious as emulsifier. The requested modification refers to the alignment of the specifications of the feed additive to the specifications set for lecithins when used as food additives, and the inclusion in the authorisation of rapeseed among the botanical sources of hydrolysed and de‐oiled lecithins and of de‐oiled hydrolysed soybean lecithins as an additional form of the additive. Based on the data available, all the lecithins of different botanical origin and their forms under application meet the specifications set for the use of lecithins as a food additive. The Panel therefore recommended applying the specifications set for food additive to the lecithins under application. In its previous opinion, the Panel concluded that lecithins are safe for the target species, the consumer, the user and the environment, and that they are efficacious as an emulsifier. The Panel is not aware of any information related to the use of rapeseed as an additional source of hydrolysed liquid lecithins and de‐oiled lecithin powder that would modify the previous conclusions.

Re-evaluation of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive

The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of lecithins (E 322) when used as a food additive. Lecithins (E 322) is an authorised food additive in the EU according to Annex II and Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, and have been previously evaluated by JECFA in 1973 and by the SCF in 1982. Among lecithins, phosphatidylcholine is hydrolysed in choline in the cytidine-5-diphosphate-choline pathway in all cells of the body. Following the conceptual framework for the risk assessment of certain food additives re-evaluated under Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, the Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI for lecithins (E 322) and that there was no safety concern for the general population from more than 1 year of age at the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive. The Panel further concluded that there is no safety concern for the exposure to the choline from lecithins (E 322) as a food additive at use and use levels reported by industry. For infants (from 12 weeks up to 11 months of age), the Panel concluded that there was no safety concern at the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive and for the choline from lecithins (E 322) as a food additive at use and use levels reported by industry. For infants and young children consuming foods for special medical purposes, the Panel concluded that there was no safety concern with respect to the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses of lecithins (E 322) as a food additive and for exposure to choline resulting from these uses of lecithins (E 322).

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase and na(+)-k(+)-ATPase activity in patients with breast cancer

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (pLCAT) and erythrocyte membrane Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase ase (emNaKATPs) activity have a correlation in breast cancer. This study compared these parameters at time points before and after treatment with radiotherapy.

Methods

The levels of pLCAT and emNaKATPs were assessed in 30 patients with breast carcinoma and 20 control subjects. While emNaKATPs was measured with spectrophotometric method, pLCAT levels was measured using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

pLCAT levels, both before and after radiotherapy, were found to be decreased in breast cancer patients than in the controls groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Also, pLCAT levels after radiotherapy were found to be decreased in breast cancer patients than the pLCAT levels before radiotherapy (p<0.001). The emNaKATPs activity were higher in the control group than in the breast cancer patients before/after radiotherapy (RT) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). At the same time, emNaKATPs activity before RT was higher in the breast cancer patients than emNaKATPs activity after RT (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between pLCAT and emNaKATPs activity in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (r=0.63, p<0.001), but no correlation between in breast cancer patients before RT and control group (r=0.023, p>0.05).

Conclusion

The results of the present study demonstrated that decreased pLCAT and emNaKATPs activity levels in breast cancer patients after/before RT than control group. In addition, decreased emNaKATPs activity in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy may be due to decreased pLCAT concentrations and RT beam. In our opinion, altered activities of pLCAT and emNaKATPs are linked to the treatment effect of radiotherapy. These data may clarify the development of cell membrane dysfunction and lipid metabolism in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.