THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
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, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
On 10 November 2004 Baker & McKenzie on behalf of Morinda Inc., made a request to the competent authorities of Belgium to place the leaves of Morinda citrifolia on the market as a novel food ingredient.
(2)
On 30 November 2005 the competent food assessment body of Belgium issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that an additional assessment was required.
(3)
The Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to all Member States on 21 March 2006.
(4)
Some Member States raised additional questions about the safety of the leaves of Morinda citrifolia.
(5)
Therefore the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted on 14 November 2006.
(6)
On 10 July 2008 EFSA adopted the ‘Opinion of the Scientific Panel on dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on a request from the Commission related to the safety of leaves from Morinda citrifolia L.’.
(7)
In the opinion the panel came to the conclusion that the use of dried and roasted M. citrifolia leaves for the preparation of infusions at the anticipated levels of intake is safe.
(8)
On the basis of the scientific assessment, it is established that dried and roasted leaves of Morinda citrifolia comply with the criteria laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(9)
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: