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 8 November 2012, the company DSM Nutritional Products Ltd made a request to the competent authorities of Ireland to place trans-resveratrol on the market as a novel food ingredient within the meaning of point (f) of Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(2)
On 28 June 2013, the competent food assessment body of Ireland issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that trans-resveratrol meets the criteria for novel food ingredients set out in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(3)
On 4 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.
(5)
On 3 April 2014, the Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asking it to carry out an additional assessment for trans-resveratrol as novel food ingredient in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(6)
On 11 December 2015, EFSA concluded in its opinion on the safety of synthetic trans-resveratrol as a novel food, that trans-resveratrol used in food supplements intended for adults is safe under the proposed conditions of use.
(7)
That opinion gives sufficient grounds to establish that trans-resveratrol as a novel food ingredient complies with the criteria laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.
(8)
In its opinion, EFSA also indicated that trans-resveratrol may interact with specific medicines therefore, it is necessary to inform the consumers when consumed in combination with medicines.
(9)
Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council lays down requirements for food supplements. The use of trans-resveratrol should be authorised without prejudice to that legislation.
(10)
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: