Joint Expert Groups

This is a paper for discussion. It does not reflect the views of the Committee and should not be cited.

AEJEG

AEJEG Assessments

1.127          The COT provides challenge and assurance on the outputs of the Joint Expert Groups (JEGs). As part of this they considered Committee Advice Documents prepared by the Joint Expert Group on Additives, Enzymes and other Regulated Products (AEJEG) regarding the following regulated product applications:

• Committee Advice Document on the use of blue microalgae extract or blue Galdieria extract as a new food additive in the ‘colour’ functional class. (RP507).
• Committee Advice Document on the extension of use of curcumin (E 100) to a new food category “egg analogues” (RP41).

1.128          These documents are currently reserved as they cover draft AEJEG Committee Advice which is not currently published.

1.129          AEJEG Committee Advice Papers will be published in 2026.

FCM JEG

FCMJEG Assessments

1.130          The COT considered Risk Assessments prepared by the Joint Expert Group on Food Contact Materials (FCMJEG) regarding the following regulated product application:  

• On the safety assessment on the evaluation of a post-consumer decontamination process, producing recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PCR-PET) pellets for use in manufacture of materials and articles in contact with food. The COT endorsed the assessment made by the FCMJEG.

1.131          This item is currently reserved as the Committee Advice Paper is not currently published.  

AEJEG Assessments

EFSA Draft Guidance for Public Consultation: Request for comment on EFSA’s Public consultation on the EFSA Panel on Food Additive and Flavourings (FAF) ‘Draft guidance on the preparation of an application for authorisation of a food additive submitted under 4 Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008

1.132          In December 2024, EFSA had proposed to update their 2012/2021 guidance (EFSA ANS Panel, 2012) on the preparation of an application for authorisation of a food additive submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008. The proposed update had reflected EFSA’s intention to ensure that the guidance remained aligned with current regulatory expectations and continues to support the consistent and robust assessment of food additive applications across the European Union.

1.133          The update of the existing document had considered technical and scientific developments and practical experience by EFSA in the process of regulated products application submissions. EFSA had noted that there had been instances where scientific issues may be present that regulatory science had not been mature enough to include specific recommendations, noting potential effects on gut microbiota as an example. In such cases, the draft guidance had acknowledged scientific uncertainty while emphasising the importance of transparency, case-by-case evaluation, and the use of weight-of-evidence approaches where appropriate.

1.134          The draft guidance was discussed by COT and AEJEG and the agreed comments were submitted to EFSA in February 2025 as part of the public consultation process.