EU lycopene ADI discussions to continue

11-Aug-2009 - Last updated on 13-Aug-2009 at 12:47 GMT

The Food Standards Agency in the UK says lycopene levels – at least for the carotenoid’s use as a food colour – are under review at EU level.

Lycopene as a food colour is regulated by Directive 94/36/EC on colours for use in foods, and may be formally altered to account for a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Acceptable Daily Intake(ADI) recommendation last year of 0.5mg per kilogram of body weight per day. But EFSA raised concerns about intakes among children.

“The UK hasn't asked EFSA to re-appraise lycopene levels in food but it is participating in discussions with the European Commission and other member states on appropriate risk management measures in light of the EFSA opinion,” an FSA spokesperson told NutraIngredients.com.

It is not known when those discussions might conclude nor when the recommendations might be revised, but the European Commission has proposed that levels be amended to take account of EFSA’s 2008 ADI opinion.

Lycopene ADI

Industry would like to see the ADI level increased as it is considered so low that the antioxidant benefits of lycopene cannot be effectively formulated and marketed in many products.

It is hoping a recently delivered Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives(JECFA) conclusion that no safety issues exist for natural, fungal and synthetic forms of lycopene, will bolster the case for lycopene ADIs to be raised in the EU’s 27-member states.

JECFA’s initial position had been in line with the 0.5mg level, but an industry appeal led to a reassessment of the evidence and JECFA delivered its current opinion with no specified ADI for all three forms of lycopene.

“The current ADI means that for 70kg adults, no more than 35mg/day should be allowed,” said Zohar Nir, the vice president of new product development and scientific affairs at leading lycopene supplier, Lycored.

He highlighted a number of studies conducted by Lycored that demonstrated various health benefits of lycopene at levels above the EFSA-approved ADI.

The natural lycopene market is dominated by Israeli-based supplier, Lycored, and the carotenoid is best known for its ability to benefit the heart, skin and prostate.