91997E2126

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2126/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 - 'Substantial equivalence' in derived varieties

1. What guarantees will there be that the 'substantial equivalence' of all plants of the same tested and authorized line remain present, or that they can be tested?

2. What will be the approach towards derived varieties?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2126/97, E-2128/97 and E-2130/97 (20 October 1997)

Article 3 (4) of Regulation No 258/97 on novel foods and novel food ingredients provides for a derogation form the authorization procedure laid down in that Regulation, where foods or food ingredients, on the basis of the scientific evidence available and generally recognized or on the basis of an opinion delivered by one of the competent bodies, are substantially equivalent to existing foods and food ingredients as regards their composition, nutritional value, etc.

Where necessary, it may be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of the Regulation whether a type of food or food ingredient falls under the derogation in question. The arrangements for notification of these products are laid down in Article 5 of the Regulation.