Within the general task of evaluating substances intended for use in materials in contact with food according to the Regulation (EC) No.1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, the CEF Panel received requests from competent Member States Authorities for safety evaluation of substances following corresponding applications from the industry. The requests received and the outcome of the safety evaluations are summarised below:

1. Food Standards Agency, UK, request for evaluation of the monomer 3,4-diacetoxy-1-butene with a CAS number 18085-02-4 and a European Commission reference number (REF. No. ) 15180, for use as a comonomer in small percentages for the production of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Dossier submitted by the company Nippon Gohsei, Tokyo, Japan.
   
   The Panel concluded that the use of the substance as a comonomer in EVOH copolymers does not pose a risk to human health provided that the migration of the substance (including the hydrolysis product 3,4-dihydroxy-1-butene) into the food does not exceed 0.05 mg/kg food. The safety evaluation of the substance concerns only its use as a co-monomer for EVOH copolymers. The Panel noted that for enforcement purposes only an analytical method for the residual content of the substance in the polymer was provided.
   
   
2. Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, the Netherlands, request for evaluation of the monomer 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol with a CAS number 4457-71-0 and a REF. No. 22074, for use as a comonomer for the production of polyurethane sealing gaskets for metal closures intended to be in contact with all types of foodstuffs packed in glass jars and bottles. Dossier submitted by the company Japan Crown Cork Co. Ltd., Yokohama, Japan.
   
   The Panel concluded that the use of the substance does not pose a risk to human health provided that the migration of the substance into the food does not exceed 0.05 mg/kg food. The substance should be used in materials in contact with food at a surface to mass ratio up to 0.5 dm²/kg (e.g. sealing gaskets).

Note informative:

Scientific Opinion on 26th list of substances for food contact materials1

REGOLAMENTO (CE) N. 1935/2004

Tutto su: EFSA, Alimenti, Salute, Imballaggi