EC opinion deems HMO safe to place on market as Novel Food
The European Commission (EC) is to allow lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) to be placed on the market as a Novel Food for use in food supplements and infant product formulations
You can read the full article HERE
Food Labelling Services comments:
A novel food is defined as ‘foods and food ingredients that have not been used for human consumption to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997’. Novel foods have to be authorised in the Novel Foods Catalogue.
LNT is a Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) that s found in human breast milk. It can also be obtained by microbial fermentation with a genetically modified strain of E. Coli. Approved benefits include reducing infection by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and their toxins and supporting gut health.
There is a maximim limit of 0.8g/l in infant formula, and specific warnings have to be declared as part of the conditions.