COT 2024 meeting notes
Last updated: 17 December 2024
COT Meeting: 6th February 2024
At their February meeting the Committee discussed papers on Benchmark dose modelling in a UK chemical risk assessment framework, they were also provided with an update from the FSA fellow on Advancing in silico methods for chemical risk assessment which covered similar themes.
The Committee undertook their annual horizon scanning, and were updated on actions taken subsequent to the Committee’s advice.
The Committee also continued their work on a Second draft statement on the potential risks from ergot alkaloids in the maternal diet, a third draft statement on the safety of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive and a fourth draft interim position statement on bisphenol A.
At their March meeting the Committee discussed the draft 2023 COT Annual Report which was postponed from the February meeting.
The committee’s assurance was sought from the FCM JEG on 1 opinion – the evaluation of the recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) decontamination process operated by LINPAC for use in the manufacture of articles in contact with food (Reserved) as well as commenting on the FCM JEG position statement on Ocean Bound Plastic. The Committee also commented on 1 AEJEG opinion: Application to modify the conditions of use of E401 (sodium alginate) for use as a surface treatment in entire fruits and vegetables (Reserved). They also considered additional information on bamboo biocomposites in food contact materials and discussed the second draft of the Joint COT/SACN working group report on plant-based drinks (Reserved).
The Committee also continued their work on a fifth draft interim position statement on bisphenol A and a fourth draft statement on the safety of Titanium Dioxide (E171) as a Food Additive.
At their May meeting the Committee discussed an update on a request for Committee Advice on the safety of the Application to modify the conditions of use of E401 (sodium alginate) for use as a surface treatment in entire fruits and vegetables. The committee received a presentation on Pinnatoxin- surveillance and exposure.
The committee continued their work on a fifth draft statement on the safety of Titanium Dioxide (E171) as a Food Additive and a sixth draft interim position statement on bisphenol A and discussed an updated position paper on bamboo composites in food contact materials .
The committee also discussed a paper reviewing their ways of working
At their July meeting the Committee commented on a discussion paper submitted by the Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC) on the effects of flame retardants on human health: developing a work programme.
In addition, they considered a first draft statement on the potential health effects of raspberry leaf tea in the maternal diet and a risk assessment of the mycotoxins T2 and HT2 in food. The Committee also commented on the second draft report of the Plant Based Drinks Working Group (reserved item) and reviewed a paper on the potential risk to human health from marine biotoxins associated with consumption of bivalve molluscs (shellfish) harvested from UK waters.
The Committee’s assurance was sought from the FCM JEG on a plastic additive opinion and a draft Committee Advice Document on a recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) decontamination process for use in the manufacture of materials and articles in contact with food (both reserved items)
COT Meeting: 3rd September 2024
At their September meeting the Committee commented on a Committee Advice document submitted by the the Joint Expert Group on Additives Enzymes and other regulated products (AEJEG) RP1245 Steviol glycosides (reserved). The committee also reviewed an application to authorise iron-enriched yeast as a permitted form of iron which can be voluntarily added to foods for specific groups, food supplements and general foods (Reserved).
In addition, they discussed the COT Ways of Working with a particular focus on the discussion papers and how they should be used and on horizon scanning.
The Committee received a presentation and discussed a review of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in regulatory decisions for chemical safety.
COT Meeting: 21st October 2024
At their October meeting the Committee reviewed the response to the peer review consultation on the draft Joint SACN/COT report on plant-based drinks- (Reserved). The committee also reviewed RP1741 – a Committee Advice Document on the evaluation of the safety of the process for the recycling of post-consumer PET into food contact materials (Reserved)
In addition, they discussed Deriving a health-based guidance value for antimony to support the development of UK Drinking Water Standards and continued their work on the maternal diet considering a discussion paper on Citrinin in the maternal diet.
COT Meeting: 10th December 2024
At their December meeting the Committee reviewed two authorisations: substance Glycolipids (E 246) (Nagardo, AM-1) for use as a new food additive. (RP1457) as well as the “Extension of use of nisin (E 234) to a new food category “egg analogues” (RP42) (Reserved).
They continued their work on the maternal diet with a discussion of the supplement Echinacea, a third draft statement on the Safety of Ginger Supplement use in Pregnancy, and a discussion on the effects of Calcidiol (a vitamin D derivative) supplementation during pregnancy.
Finally, the committee discussed the planned work to develop COT guidance; it is hoped this work will commence in the near future.