THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
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 12 November 2012, the company Functional Products Trading S.A. made a request to the competent authorities of the United Kingdom to place chia oil (Salvia hispanica) on the market as a novel food ingredient to be used in vegetable oils and as a food supplement.
(2)
On 8 July 2013, the competent food assessment body of the United Kingdom issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that chia oil (Salvia hispanica) meets the criteria for novel food set out in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(3)
On 13 September 2013, the Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to the other Member States.
(4)
Reasoned objections were raised within the 60 day period laid down in the first subparagraph of Article 6(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97. In accordance with Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 a Commission Implementing Decision should be made that takes into account the objections raised. The additional explanations provided by the applicant alleviated the concerns to the satisfaction of the Member States and the Commission.
(5)
Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council lays down requirements on food supplements. The use of chia oil (Salvia hispanica) should be authorised without prejudice to the requirements of that legislation.
(6)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: