(1)

Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 provides that only novel foods authorised and included in the Union list of novel foods may be placed on the market within the Union.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 (2) has established a Union list of authorised novel foods.

(3)

The Union list set out in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 includes both chemically synthesised and microbiologically produced 2’-Fucosyllactose (‘2′-FL’) as an authorised novel food. The conditions of use, maximum levels and specific labelling requirements set out in Table 1 of the Annex to that Regulation are common for both the synthetically and the microbiologically produced 2′-FL. At the same time, in in Table 2 of the Annex of that Regulation, separate specifications are set out for chemically synthesised 2′-FL (‘2’-Fucosyllactose (synthetic)’) and for microbiologically produced 2′-FL (‘2’-Fucosyllactose (microbial source)’).

(4)

On 23 March 2021, the company Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd (‘the applicant’) submitted an application to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 to place 2′-FL obtained by microbial fermentation using a genetically modified strain (SGR5) derived from the host strain Escherichia coli (‘E. coli’) W (ATCC 9637), on the Union market as a novel food. The applicant requested for the so produced 2′-FL to be used in the same food categories and at the same maximum levels as the currently authorised 2’-FL. In that application, the applicant originally also proposed a change in the conditions of use of 2′-FL to extend its uses in food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), intended for infants. Subsequently, on 30 November 2023, the applicant withdrew the request for use in food supplements for infants from the application.

(5)

On 23 March 2021, the applicant also made a request to the Commission for the protection of proprietary scientific studies and data submitted in support of the application, namely, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (‘LC-MS/MS’) study, a nuclear magnetic resonance (‘NMR’) study, and high-performance liquid chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (‘HPLC-PAD’) study for the determination of the identity of 2′-FL (4); a description of the genetically modified production strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) (5) including its genome sequence (6), and antimicrobial susceptibility studies (7); a detailed description of the production process (8) including the raw materials and processing aids used (9); methods of analysis (10), and compositional analyses data of the novel food (11); stability studies of the novel food (12); a Hazard Analysis Control and Critical Point (‘HACCP’) safety management system (13); solubility studies of the novel food (14); a bacterial reverse mutation test with 2′-FL (15); an in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL (16); an in vivo mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL (17); a 90-day oral toxicity study in rats with 2′-FL (18); and, a bioinformatics analysis study on the genome of the E. coli W (ATCC 9637) to detect heterologous sequences that could encode possible allergens (19).

(6)

In accordance with Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, the Commission requested the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) on 7 December 2021, to carry out an assessment of 2′-FL produced by microbial fermentation using the mentioned genetically modified derivative strain of Escherichia coli W (ATCC 9637).

(7)

On 26 September 2023, the Authority adopted its scientific opinion on the ‘Safety of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) produced by a derivative strain (Escherichia coli SGR5) of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283’ (20) in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(8)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority concluded that 2′-FL produced by microbial fermentation using a genetically modified derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) is safe when used under the currently authorised conditions of use. Therefore, that scientific opinion gives sufficient grounds to establish that 2′-FL produced by microbial fermentation using a genetically modified derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) when used under the currently authorised conditions of use fulfils the conditions for its placing on the market in accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(9)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority noted that its conclusion on the safety of the novel food was based on scientific studies and data from the NMR, LC-MS/MS, and HPLC-PAD tests for the determination of the identity of 2′-FL; the description of the genetically modified production strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) including its genome sequence and antimicrobial susceptibility studies; the detailed description of the production process including the raw materials and processing aids used; the compositional analyses data and the stability studies of the novel food; the bacterial reverse mutation test with 2′-FL; the in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the in vivo mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the 90-day oral toxicity study in rats with 2′-FL; and, the bioinformatics analysis study on the genome of the E. coli W (ATCC 9637) to detect heterologous sequences that could encode possible allergens, contained in the applicant’s file, without which it could not have assessed the novel food and reached its conclusion.

(10)

The Commission requested the applicant to further clarify the justification provided with regard to their proprietary claim over those studies and data, and to clarify its claim to an exclusive right of reference to them in accordance with Article 26(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(11)

The applicant declared that, under national law at the time they submitted the application, they held proprietary and exclusive rights of reference to scientific studies and data from the NMR, LC-MS/MS, and HPLC-PAD tests for the determination of the identity of 2′-FL; the description of the genetically modified production strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) including its genome sequence and antimicrobial susceptibility studies; the detailed description of the production process including the raw materials and processing aids used; the compositional analyses data and the stability studies of the novel food; the bacterial reverse mutation test with 2′-FL; the in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the in vivo mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the 90-day oral toxicity study in rats with 2′-FL; and, the bioinformatics analysis study on the genome of the E. coli W (ATCC 9637) to detect heterologous sequences that could encode possible allergens, and that third parties cannot lawfully access, use or refer to those data and studies.

(12)

The Commission assessed all the information provided by the applicant and considered that the applicant has sufficiently substantiated the fulfilment of the requirements laid down in Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Therefore, scientific studies and data from the NMR, LC-MS/MS, and HPLC-PAD tests for the determination of the identity of 2′-FL; the description of the genetically modified production strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) including its genome sequence and antimicrobial susceptibility studies; the detailed description of the production process including the raw materials and processing aids used; the compositional analyses data and the stability studies of the novel food; the bacterial reverse mutation test with 2′-FL; the in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the in vivo mammalian cell micronucleus test with 2′-FL; the 90-day oral toxicity study in rats with 2′-FL; and, the bioinformatics analysis study on the genome of the E. coli W (ATCC 9637) to detect heterologous sequences that could encode possible allergens, should be protected in accordance with Article 27(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Accordingly, only the applicant should be authorised to place 2′-FL produced with a derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) on the market within the Union during a period of five years from the entry into force of this Regulation.

(13)

However, restricting the authorisation of 2′-FL produced with a derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) and the reference to the scientific data contained in the applicant’s file for the sole use by them does not prevent subsequent applicants from applying for an authorisation to place on the market the same novel food provided that their application is based on legally obtained information supporting such an authorisation.

(14)

It is appropriate that the inclusion of 2′-FL produced using a derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) as a novel food in the Union list of novel foods contains also the information referred to in Article 9(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(15)

2′-FL produced using a derivative strain of E. coli W (ATCC 9637) should be included in the Union list of novel foods set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(16)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,