The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is set to evaluate the use of phytosterol esters in margarines, for cooking and baking purposes.
According to the FSA, Unilever has applied to the agency to market phytosterol esters as a novel food ingredient.
Phytosterol esters are used by the food industry for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Free phytosterols are naturally present at low levels in vegetable oils and in food derived from such oils.
This is the third application made by Unilever for this novel food ingredient in the European Union. Two of these applications, including this one, were made in the UK.
Following an application for margarines with added phytosterol esters, which was approved in 2000, Unilever submitted an application through the UK to extend use to 'milk type' and 'yoghurt type' products. This use was authorized in 2004.
Through the latest application, Unilever is seeking to extend the use to liquid vegetable fat-based emulsions (liquid margarine products) which are used for cooking and baking. FSA noted that it is seeking views on the application.
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.
In the UK, the assessment of novel foods is carried out by an independent committee of scientists appointed by the Food Standards Agency, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP).
