Manufacturer of plant-based specialty ingredients Naturex has gained European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approval on the safety of Thaumatin (E 957) for use in a broad range of applications.
Talin is a natural extract derived from Thaumatococcus Danielli fruit. As an additive, it improves the taste profile of food and beverages, enhances and improves the taste of sugar and salt substitutes.
On 13 November, the EFSA released a scientific opinion in support of the safety of Thaumatin (E 957), which enables the company to use the ingredient in various applications.
It can be used to to serve as salt replacers to minimize the off-tastes; used in sauces, soups, and snacks to enhance flavor and reduce salt, and breakfast cereals, jams, and jellies to enhance perceived sweetness when used in combination with other sweeteners. In food supplements, the additive can minimize the off-putting bitter taste of certain actives and in alcoholic beverages, it can nhance the overall flavor and maintenance of balance.
With the new approval, the company hopes to see an increase in the leve of its use in flavoured drinks from the current 0.5 mg/L to 5 mg/L.
Naturex food & beverage business manager Amandine de Santi said: "As a leading actor in the Thaumatin category, Naturex is duty bound to contribute to the market's development. We are pleased to be able to open discussions in order to move forward on this key issue."
Currently, Thaumatin (E 957) can be used in several food categories, either as a sweetener (Thaumatin is approximately 2000 to 3000 times sweeter than sucrose) or as a flavour enhancer.
Previously, Thaumatin was examined for food safety for consumers by both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) between 1986 and 1989. Following these inspections, Thaumatin was adjudged as acceptable for use, and the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) was classified as 'not specified'.
Image: Thaumatin can now be used in soups to enhance flavor. Photo: Courtesy of tiramisustudio/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
