EFSA questions the safety of botanical food supplements

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has just launched a public consultation on the draft approach it proposes for assessing botanical food additives.

Botanicals and derived preparations made from plants, algae, fungi or lichens have become widely available on the EU market. Examples include ginkgo, garlic, St. John's Wort and ginseng.

Typically labelled as natural foods, a variety of claims are made regarding the possible health benefits of the products, which can be bought over the counter in pharmacies, supermarkets, herbalists and via the internet.

The members of the EFSA Advisory Forum have expressed the need for a comprehensive approach to assessing risks for these products.

A draft has been developed for the safe assessment of botanical food supplements and additives, as well as criteria to prioritise such products for assessment. The committee also prepared two draft compendia listing natural compounds that may deserve specific attention for use in food.

All interested parties are invited to submit feedback and information on the proposal, with a response deadline on the 15 February 2008. Comments can be submitted via the EFSA website: located here.