Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1290 of 23 July 2015 authorising the placing on the market of refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2015) 4961)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

1. On 25 June 2013, the company Technology Crops International made a request to the competent authorities of the United Kingdom to place refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis on the market as a novel food ingredient.

2. On 6 January 2014, the competent food assessment body of the United Kingdom issued its initial assessment report. In that report, it came to the conclusion that refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis meets the criteria for novel food set out in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

3. On 21 January 2014, the Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to the other Member States.

4. Reasoned objections were raised within the 60-day period laid down in the first subparagraph of Article 6(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

5. On 11 June 2014, the Commission consulted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), asking it to carry out an assessment for refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis as a novel food ingredient in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

6. On 5 February 2015, EFSA in its ‘Scientific Opinion on the safety of refined Buglossoides oil as a novel food ingredient’⁽²⁾, concluded that refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis is safe for the proposed uses and use levels.

7. Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council⁽³⁾ lays down requirements on food supplements. Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council⁽⁴⁾ lays down requirements on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods. Commission Directive 1999/21/EC⁽⁵⁾ lays down requirements for dietary foods for special medical purposes. Commission Directive 96/8/EC⁽⁶⁾ lays down requirements on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction. The use of refined oil from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis should be authorised without prejudice to the requirements of those legislations.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: