(1)

Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 provides that only novel foods authorised and included in the Union list of novel foods may be placed on the market within the Union.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 (2) has established a Union list of novel foods.

(3)

The Union list set out in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 includes astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae as an authorised novel food.

(4)

Astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae has been authorised pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) for use in food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), intended for the general population.

(5)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1377 (5) amended the conditions of use of the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae. In particular, the use level of astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae in food supplements at levels of up to 8,0 mg/day astaxanthin has been restricted to adults and adolescents above 14 years old.

(6)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1581 (6) further amended the conditions of use of the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae. In particular, it extended the use of the novel food in food supplements intended for children aged 3 to less than 10 years of age to levels of 23 mg/day of oleoresin (corresponding to up to 2,3 mg/day of astaxanthin), and in food supplements intended for adolescents of 10 to less than 14 years of age to 57 mg/day oleoresin (corresponding to up to 5,7 mg/day of astaxanthin).

(7)

On 20 June 2022, the company Astareal AB (‘the applicant’) submitted an application to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 for a change of the specifications of the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae. The applicant requested to modify the content levels for several parameters in the specifications. This concerns the modification of range for astaxanthin monoesters in oleoresin from 79,8-91,5 % w/w of (total) carotenoids to 66,7-91,5 % w/w of (total) carotenoids, the modification of the range of astaxanthin diesters from 0,16-19,0 % w/w of (total) carotenoids to 0,16 to 32,5 % w/w of (total) carotenoids, the modification of range for astaxanthin 9-cis stereoisomer from 0,3-17,3 % w/w of (total) carotenoids to 0,3-30,0 % w/w of (total) carotenoids, and the modification of the range of the protein content from 0,3-4,4 % to 0,0-4,4 %.

(8)

In accordance with Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, the Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) on 26 September 2022, requesting it to provide a scientific opinion on the change of the specifications of the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae.

(9)

On 26 September 2023, the Authority adopted its scientific opinion on the ‘Safety of a change in specifications of the novel food oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis containing astaxanthin pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283’ (7) in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(10)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority concluded that the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae is safe under the proposed changes in the specifications, and therefore it is appropriate to amend those.

(11)

The information provided in the application and the Authority’s opinion give sufficient grounds to establish that the changes to the specifications of the novel food are in accordance with the conditions of Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and should be approved.

(12)

The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(13)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,