Commission Implementing Decision

of 11 December 2014

authorising the placing on the market of methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council

(notified under document C(2014) 9333)

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2014/905/EU)

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 ingredients1, and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

On 30 June 2008 the company Reading Scientific Services Ltd made a request to the competent authorities of the Netherlands to place methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer on the market as a novel food ingredient for the use in chewing gum base.

(2)

On 14 July 2011, the competent food assessment body of the Netherlands issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer meets the criteria set out in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

(3)

On 18 August 2011, 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.

(5)

On 12 June 2012, the Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asking it to carry out an additional assessment for methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer as food ingredient in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

(6)
On 10 October 2013 EFSA adopted a Scientific Opinion on the safety of methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer (chewing gum base ingredient) as a novel food ingredient2, concluding that it is safe under the proposed uses and use levels.
(7)

The opinion gives sufficient grounds to establish that methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer in the proposed use and use levels in chewing gum base complies with the criteria laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

(8)

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: