Technology Crops International Applies for Novel Food Approval for Refined Oil

26 June 2013 --- A US company has applied to the UK Food Standards Agency for approval to market a refined oil as a novel food ingredient in a range of foods. The oil is from a plant known as Buglossoides arvensis.

The company, Technology Crops International, plans to include refined oil from Bugglossoides arvensis seeds in a range of foods, including:
milk-based products
drinkable yoghurts
breakfast cereals
food supplements

The applicant states that this refined oil is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The applicant mentions in its application, which can be found via the link towards the end of this page, that the oil could be consumed by people looking to increase their intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, who are unwilling or unable to consume fish oils. This might include vegetarians, for example.

A novel food is a food or food ingredient that does not have a significant history of consumption within the European Union before 15 May 1997.

Before any new food product can be introduced on the European market it must be rigorously assessed for safety. In the UK, the assessment of novel foods is carried out by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, an independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA.