(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 novel foods.

(3)

The Union list set out in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 includes partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rice (Oryza sativa) as an authorised novel food.

(4)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2851 (3) authorised the placing on the market of partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rice (Oryza sativa) as a novel food for use in a number of foods for the general population.

(5)

On 6 February 2024, the company Evergrain LLC (‘the applicant’) submitted an application to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 for a change of the specific labelling requirements of the novel food ‘Partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley and rice’. The applicant requested to change the specific labelling requirements, in particular the designation of the novel food to ‘Hydrolysed protein from barley and rice’.

(6)

The original labelling requirement referred to ‘Partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley and rice’. The applicant considers that the change of the designation is necessary because the word ‘partially’ is not a well-defined term, in particular to the average consumer, who will not know to what extent the protein is hydrolysed, especially as compared to other plant proteins. The applicant further indicates that the word ‘spent’ is not used for other authorised novel proteins which are processed in a similar manner, and therefore considers that this may create confusion if utilised for this novel food. Furthermore, the applicant also indicates that when barley and rice feedstocks are processed, the first step is to remove the starch which is the same as the process used for any other plant proteins.

(7)

The Commission considers that the requested update of the Union list concerning the change of the specific labelling requirements, in particular the designation of the novel food ‘Partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley and rice’ as proposed by the applicant, is not liable to have an effect on human health and that a safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority in accordance with Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 is not necessary. Based on the justification provided by the applicant, the Commission is of the view that the word ‘spent’ may be omitted from the designation of the novel food for labelling purposes. However, the Commission does not agree with the removal of the word ‘partially’ from the designation of the novel food. In accordance with the rules on labelling, in particular Article 10(2), point (g), of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 specific labelling requirements should not mislead the consumer. Furthermore, pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), food information should not be misleading, particularly as to the characteristics of the food and, among others things, its properties and composition. Taking into account that the degree of hydrolysis of the novel food is 1-7 %, the Commission considers that the word ‘partially’ should be maintained in the designation of the novel food. In addition, if the applicant would like to further inform the consumer about the degree of hydrolysis, it may voluntarily indicate it on the label of the product in accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Therefore, the designation of the novel food on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it should be ‘Partially hydrolysed protein from barley and rice’.

(8)

The information provided in the application gives sufficient grounds to establish that the changes to the specific labelling requirements of the novel food are in accordance with the conditions of Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and should be approved.

(9)

The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(10)

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