Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an alternative source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for use in infant formula products by December 13, 2016.
DSM Nutritional Products is seeking approval of an alternative DHA oil derived from Schizochytrium sp. (DHA-B) to be added to infant formula products at levels consistent with other DHA oils already approved in the Food Standards Code.
“Several DHA oils, which are omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, are already permitted as an optional ingredient in infant formula products,” says FSANZ CEO Steve McCutcheon.
“The composition of oil derived from Schizochytrium sp. is comparable to other approved novel sources of DHA.”
“FSANZ’s risk assessment found no health or safety concerns regarding the use of DHA-B oil as an alternative to other approved sources of DHA in infant formula products at the levels proposed.”
All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can decide to ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
