PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FOOD REGULATIONS REGARDING PERMITTED ENZYMES FOR FOOD USE

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FOOD REGULATIONS REGARDING PERMITTED ENZYMES FOR FOOD USE

 The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) initiated a public consultation exercise for the period 9 March 2015 to 8 June 2015 on proposed amendments to the Food Regulations regarding permitted enzymes for food use. Feedback was sought from the food industry (local food enzyme manufacturers and importers) on the following issues:

1. Whether the proposed format of presentation provides clarity on the identity of permitted enzymes for food use.

2. Whether additional information on the characterisation of enzymes should be included in the proposed format, and the rationale for inclusion.

3. Whether any additional enzymes should be included in the Eighth Schedule, and the justification for inclusion.

Issue I
13 companies/associations responded to the public consultation exercise. Six of them voiced support of the proposed presentation format as it provides greater clarity on the identity of enzymes permitted for food use. One company felt that the column on the “Donor gene” was not necessary. The remaining six companies/associations did not comment on the presentation format.

Issue II
One company and one association provided comments in relation to additional characterisation information (e.g. synonyms) for the existing enzymes. AVA has taken note of the comments and will be including the additional information in the form of footnotes under the revised list of enzymes in the Eighth Schedule. The remaining 11 companies/associations either did not comment or felt that the information on characterisation of enzymes was sufficient.

Issue III
In total, the food industry has proposed 98 additional entries (32 new enzyme entries and 66 entries on new production sources for enzymes already in the list) for inclusion under the Eighth Schedule. Of these 98 entries, only 49 entries (12 new enzyme entries and 37 entries on new production sources for enzymes already in the list) will be incorporated into the Eighth Schedule. This decision was made after careful consideration and evaluation of the safety information for each enzyme and regulatory approvals in the major developed countries. The remaining 49 entries will not be incorporated into the Eighth Schedule due to a lack of characterisation information, safety information, and/or regulatory approvals in the major developed countries. The revised list of enzymes, which will be incorporated into a future amendment of the Food Regulations can be found in the  ANNEX.

AVA appreciates the time taken by individuals and organisations to submit feedback and comments which have contributed to the decision making process, and would like to encourage all food industry members to actively participate in future calls for comments.

Public Consultation On Proposed Amendments To The Food Regulations Regarding Permitted Enzymes For Food Use

Target Audience: Food Industry Partners
 
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is seeking feedback from the food industry (local food enzyme manufacturers and importers), on the proposed amendments to the Food Regulations concerning permitted enzymes for food use.
 
2          The Eighth Schedule lists enzymes in alphabetical order among other permitted general purpose food additives, with information on the enzyme name, enzyme production strain, and indication of whether the enzyme is produced from a genetically modified source.
 
3          Further characterisation of the permitted enzymes such as the production source (from animal, plant, microbial etc), the Enzyme Commission number (EC number), as well as the donor organism and donor gene (for enzymes produced from genetically modified microbial sources) are not provided. In addition, certain enzymes that have a long history of usage by the food industry (such as bromelain) are not listed under the Eighth Schedule.
 
4          AVA proposes to amend the Eighth Schedule to group all permitted enzymes together under a new section titled “Permitted Enzymes”, with information on the enzyme name, Enzyme Commission (EC) number, production strain, as well as identities of the donor organism and donor gene (in the case of enzymes produced by genetically modified microbial source). In addition, 158 more new enzymes, which have been evaluated to be safe for use in foods, will be incorporated.
 
5          A detailed description on the proposed changes can be found in the ANNEX of the attached consultation document. AVA invites views and comments on:

• Whether the proposed format of presentation provides clarity on the identity of permitted enzymes for food use.
• Whether additional information on the characterisation of enzymes should be included in the proposed format, and the rationale for inclusion. 
• Whether any additional enzymes should be included in the Eighth Schedule, and the justification for inclusion.

6          All submissions should be clearly and concisely written, and should provide a reasoned explanation for any proposed revisions. Submissions should reach AVA no later than 12:00 p.m., 8 June 2015, through mail, or email, to the following addresses:
 
    Mail: 
    52 Jurong Gateway Road #14-01 Singapore 608550
    (Attention: Ms Leong Ai Ling) 
 
    Email: 
    leong_ai_ling@ava.gov.sg