# Commission Implementing Decision of 22 January 2013 authorising the placing on the market of synthetic zeaxanthin as a novel            food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2013)            110) (Only the Dutch text is authentic) (2013/49/EU)         

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U.K.

# Commission Implementing Decision

# of 22 January 2013

# authorising the placing on the market of synthetic zeaxanthin as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of                        the European Parliament and of the Council                     

# (notified under document C(2013) 110)

# (Only the Dutch text is authentic)

# (2013/49/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel                           foods and novel food ingredients(1), and in particular Article 7 thereof,                        

Whereas:

(1)On 1 June 2004, the company DSM Nutritional Products VML made a request to the competent authorities of the Netherlands to                              place synthetic zeaxanthin on the market as a novel food ingredient.

(2)On 16 June 2005 the competent food assessment body of the Netherlands issued its initial assessment report. In that report                              it came to the conclusion that synthetic zeaxanthin with a maximum intake for not more than 20 mg per person per day, would                              not present a significant risk for human health. However, it concluded that the data presented were not sufficient to complete                              the safety assessment.

(3)Therefore an additional assessment was required.

(4)The Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to all Member States on 1 August 2005 for additional comments.

(5)On 2 February 2007 the applicant informed the Commission that the use of zeaxanthin should be limited to be used only as an                              ingredient in food supplements.

(6)The Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 20 March 2007.

(7)On 24 April 2008 the EFSA adopted a Scientific Opinion on the safety of ‘synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements’(2) concluding that based on the existing data, the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements at the                              proposed level of 20 mg per person per day has not been established.

(8)On 25 January 2012 the applicant provided additional information and proposed an intake of synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient                              in food supplements of up to 2 mg per person per day.

(9)Following a request from the Commission, EFSA was asked to update its opinion on the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as a novel                              food ingredient in food supplements in the light of the additional information. On 13 September 2012, EFSA adopted a ‘Statement                              on the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements’(3) concluding that the use level proposed by the applicant does not raise safety concerns.

(10)On the basis of the scientific assessment, it is established that synthetic zeaxanthin complies with the criteria laid down                              in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

(11)The intentional addition of synthetic zeaxanthin to food for colouring purposes falls within the scope of Regulation (EC)                              No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives(4) and should be authorised in accordance with that Regulation.

(12)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain                              and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

# Article 1U.K.

Synthetic zeaxanthin as specified in the Annex may be placed on the market in the Union as a novel food ingredient in food                     supplements at the maximum intake recommended by the manufacturer of up to 2 mg per day.                  

# Article 2U.K.

The designation of synthetic zeaxanthin authorised by this Decision on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it shall                     be ‘synthetic zeaxanthin’.                  

# Article 3U.K.

This Decision is addressed to DSM Nutritional Products, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, The Netherlands.

Done at Brussels, 22 January 2013.

*For the Commission*                            

Tonio Borg                            

*Member of the Commission*                            

## ANNEXU.K.**SPECIFICATIONS OF SYNTHETIC ZEAXANTHIN**

Zeaxanthin is a naturally occurring xanthophyll pigment, it is an oxygenated carotenoid. Synthetic zeaxanthin is produced                        by a multi-step chemical synthesis from smaller molecules.                     

Synthetic zeaxanthin is presented either as a spray-dried powder of gelatin or starch base (‘beadlets’) with added α-tocopherol                        and ascorbyl palmitate or as a corn oil suspension with added α-tocopherol                     

Orange-red crystalline powder with little or no odour

C40H56O2                      

144-68-3

568,9 daltons

1

OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 1.                           

2

*EFSA Journal* (2008) 728, 1-27.                           

3

*EFSA Journal* 2012: 10(10):2891.                           

4

OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 16.