Risk perception of arsenic exposure from rice intake in a UK population

In the UK, consumption of rice and rice-based products is on the rise but, notwithstanding public expressed concerns about such products as an exposure route for arsenic (e.g. BBC News report, 2017“Should I worry about arsenic in my rice?”) there are few, if any published data on public perceptions of risks associated with exposure to arsenic in rice. We therefore aimed to determine the risk perception of arsenic exposure from rice intake and factors that are associated with arsenic knowledge and whether or not this knowledge had an influence on rice consumption and cooking practices. A questionnaire, targeting participation of rice-eating ethnic minorities in Greater Manchester, UK, was administered to 184 participants. A multivariate generalized linear model was used to determine the factors associated with rice consumption behaviour, cooking practices, and risk perception. We show for the first time that the general population did not associate arsenic, which they perceive as toxic to health, with rice consumption. More than half of the participants knew about arsenic as a hazardous substance but less than ten percent knew that rice consumption could be an important route of arsenic exposure. Knowledge of arsenic was significantly lower in Asian/Asian British:Pakistanis (Pakistani) (OR: 0.006; 95% CI:0.00-0.03) and Asian/Asian British:Bangladeshis (Bangladeshi) (OR: 0.064; 95% CI:0.01-0.25) compared to White:English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British (White British). Moreover, Bangladeshis consumed three times more rice (OR: 2.92; 95% CI:1.73-4.93) compared to White British. Overall higher rice consumption was not associated with higher knowledge of the nutritional value of rice. Rinsing rice before cooking, an effective arsenic removal technique, was practised by 93% of the participants, however the most popular cooking method was the use of adequate water (rice to water ratio of 1:2) but not excess water (rice to water ratio of > 1:4), the latter being more effective in removing arsenic. Better education, higher weekly expenditure on food and prior knowledge of arsenic hazard were all significant factors positively influencing a change in behaviour to reduce arsenic exposure from rice intake

Safety and efficacy of copper chelates of lysine and glutamic acid as a feed additive for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of copper chelates of lysine and glutamic acid (Copper-LG) as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concludes that, owing to safety considerations, Copper-LG should not be used in water for drinking. Copper-LG is safe for chickens for fattening; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species and categories provided that the maximum authorised levels in the EU for total copper in feed are not exceeded. No increases in the copper content of animal tissues/products are expected from the use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition. There is no indication that the toxicity of Copper-LG is essentially different from that of inorganic divalent copper. The use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety provided that the maximum authorised total copper in feed is respected. Owing to the copper and nickel content of Copper-LG, the handling of the additive, poses a risk to users by inhalation. The additive is considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser; it is corrosive to the eye while it is non-irritant to skin. The additive is intended to be a substitute for other authorised copper additives and will not further increase the environmental burden of copper; therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of the additive in animal nutrition would not pose an additional risk for the environment. Copper-LG is a bioavailable source of copper, comparable to the standard inorganic copper source, and therefore, the additive is efficacious in meeting the birds copper requirements; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species/categories. The FEEDAP Panel posed a recommendation concerning the description of the additive

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of ferrous lysinate sulfate for all animal species (Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of ferrous lysinate sulfate as nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) Panel was assigned to this mandate. Based on the results of a tolerance study, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that ferrous lysinate sulfate is safe in chickens for fattening when used up to the current maximum authorised levels of total iron in feed; this conclusion was extrapolated to all animal species and categories, at the respective maximum authorised iron levels in complete feed. The use of ferrous lysinate sulfate in animal nutrition up to the maximum iron content in complete feed authorised in the EU poses no concern to the safety of consumers. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that ferrous lysinate sulfate poses a risk to users by inhalation; the additive is not a dermal irritant, but is irritant to eyes and a skin sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use of ferrous lysinate sulfate in animal nutrition would not pose a risk for the environment. Owing to the limitations in the study provided, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive for chickens for fattening, and thus, on the efficacy of ferrous lysinate sulfate for all animal species and categories

Safety and efficacy of l-lysine monohydrochloride and concentrated liquid l-lysine (base) produced by fermentation using Corynebacterium glutamicum strain KCCM 10227 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 l-lysine monohydrochloride and concentrated liquid l-lysine (base) produced using Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 10227 when used as nutritional additives in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The active substance is l-lysine. l-lysine HCl and concentrated liquid l-lysine (base) produced by the strain C. glutamicum KCCM 10227 do not represent a risk for the target species, the consumer and the environment. l-lysine HCl produced by C. glutamicum KCCM 10227 is hazardous by inhalation, it is not irritant to skin but mildly irritant to eyes and it is not a skin sensitiser. Concentrated liquid l-lysine (base) produced by C. glutamicum KCCM 10227 is hazardous by inhalation, not irritant to skin and eyes and it is not a skin sensitiser. l-lysine HCl and concentrated liquid l-lysine (base) are considered as efficacious sources of the essential amino acid l-lysine for non-ruminant animal species. For the supplemental l-lysine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen

Safety and efficacy of l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced using Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80179 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 l-histidine monohydrochloride (HCl) monohydrate produced by fermentation using Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80179 when used as a nutritional additive (amino acid) and as a sensory additive (flavouring compound) in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The production strain is not genetically modified. No viable cells of the production strain were detected in the final product. The use of l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced by fermentation using C. glutamicum KCCM 80179 is safe for the target species when used as a nutritional additive to supplement the diet in appropriate amounts to cover the requirements, depending on the species, the physiological state of the animal, the performance level, the environmental conditions, the background amino acid composition of the unsupplemented diet and the status of some essential trace elements such as copper and zinc. This conclusion would also cover the use as a sensory additive. l-Histidine HCl monohydrate produced using C. glutamicum KCCM 80179 supplemented at levels appropriate for the requirements of species and life stage is considered safe for the consumer. l-Histidine HCl monohydrate produced using C. glutamicum KCCM 80179 is not irritant to skin, is mildly irritant to eyes, and it is not a skin sensitiser. The additive does not pose a risk to users by inhalation. The use of l-histidine HCl monohydrate produced by C. glutamicum KCCM 80179 in animal nutrition is not expected to represent a risk to the environment. l-Histidine HCl monohydrate is considered an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-histidine for non-ruminant animal species. For the supplemental l-histidine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen. It is also considered efficacious as a feed flavouring compound under the proposed conditions of use

Safety of apple fruit cell culture biomass as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of an apple fruit cell culture biomass as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and intended as an ingredient for food supplements in adults. The cells have been sourced from the callus grown on a piece of apple placed on a solid medium under sterile conditions. The de-differentiated apple cells are then cultivated in liquid medium. The medium contains sucrose, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and the two synthetic plant hormone analogues, benzylaminopurine (< 0.1 mg/kg) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (< 0.25 mg/kg). These plant hormones are regulated under the EU pesticide legislation and their residue levels in the NF are in compliance with the EU maximum residue levels. The main components of the NF are carbohydrates (including sugars and non-digestible carbohydrates), ash, proteins and smaller amounts of fatty acids and organic acids. Except for the amount of total fat and the organic acids (succinic and l-malic acid), the quantities of the compositional parameters of the NF and apple have little in common. The Panel considers that a provided subchronic toxicity study was not needed to establish the safety of this NF, when taking into account the source of the NF, i.e. apples, the production process, the low intended use level and the composition of the NF, despite the noted differences to apple. The Panel considers that the NF contains proteins, which were not detected in apple and which may be allergenic. The Panel concludes that the NF, an apple fruit cell culture biomass, is safe under the proposed conditions of use

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of chromium propionate (KemTRACETM Chromium) for all growing poultry species (Kemin Europa NV)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of chromium propionate (KemTRACETM Chromium; KemTRACE-Cr) as zootechnical feed additive for all growing poultry species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) Panel was assigned to this mandate. Based on two tolerance studies submitted, the Panel concluded that the additive is safe for chickens for fattening at the maximum recommended supplementation level of 0.4 mg Cr/kg feed from KemTRACE-Cr, but a margin of safety cannot be established; this conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding, but cannot be extrapolated to other growing poultry species. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use of KemTRACE-Cr in animal nutrition at the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer. No concerns for users following any inhalation exposure during the handling of the additive are expected; the additive was shown to be corrosive to the eyes but not irritant to skin or a skin sensitiser. The use of KemTRACE-Cr in animal nutrition according to the proposed conditions of use will not significantly alter the concentration in the receiving environmental compartments of concern; therefore, no safety concern is expected for the environment. Based on three efficacy studies, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that KemTRACE-Cr has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive in chickens for fattening at the supplementation level of 0.4 mg Cr/kg feed; this conclusion could be extended to chickens reared for laying and chickens reared for breeding, and extrapolated to other poultry species for fattening and reared for laying/breeding

Safety of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a powdered mixture mainly composed by LNT, but also containing D-lactose and other oligosaccharides such as para-lacto-N-hexaose-2 (para-LNH-2), lacto-N-triose II and a small fraction of other carbohydrates. It is produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli K-12. The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF in a variety of foods, including infant and follow-on formula, foods for infants and toddlers, foods for special medical purposes and food supplements. The target population is the general population except for food supplements, for which the target population is individuals above 1 year of age. The intake of LNT from the NF at the proposed use levels is unlikely to exceed the intake level of naturally occurring LNT in breastfed infants on a body weight basis. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to LNT is considered of no safety concern. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use for the proposed target populations. (c) 2019 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of zinc chelate of ethylenediamine for all animal species (Zinpro Animal Nutrition (Europe), Inc.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of zinc chelate of ethylenediamine (Zinc-EDA-Cl) as feed additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) identified several issues related to the data provided concerning the chemical characteristics of the additive. Based on the information provided, the FEEDAP Panel considered unlikely that the additive consists only of zinc mono-chelate of EDA, but of several coexisting (zinc) species; therefore, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to confirm the identity of the additive. The FEEDAP Panel could not evaluate the safety for target species, consumer and environment and the efficacy of the additive owing to the uncertainties and limitations identified in the studies submitted. Concerning the safety of the additive for the users, the Panel considered that handling the additive poses a risk to users by inhalation. The additive should be considered as corrosive to eyes and a skin sensitiser

Safety of chromium-enriched biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on chromium-enriched biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is the dried and heat-killed chromium-enriched biomass of Y. lipolytica. This yeast species is widespread in nature, can be found in the environment and in foods, and was attributed the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) status for production purposes in 2018, including food and feed products based on biomass of the yeast. The production process, fermentation in the presence of chromium chloride, includes a heat-killing step of the yeast, resulting in the absence of viable Y. lipolytica in the NF. The maximum total chromium content of the NF is 23 μg Cr/g, with the chromium present as Cr(III). The applicant proposed to use the NF as a food supplement. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population from 3 years of age onwards, with maximum proposed use levels of 2 g/day for children from 3 to 9 years of age and 4 g/day thereafter. At the proposed use levels of the NF, the combined intake of chromium provided by the NF, in addition to a background diet high in chromium, would result in total chromium intakes well below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for chromium(III) for all target population groups. The Panel concludes that the NF, chromium-enriched biomass of Y. lipolytica, is safe under the proposed conditions of use