50 research outputs found

    “What smell?” Temporarily loading visual attention induces a prolonged loss of olfactory awareness

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    The human sense of smell is highly sensitive, often conveying important biological signals. Yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that we commonly fail to notice supra-threshold environmental olfactory stimuli. The determinants of olfactory awareness are, as yet, unknown. Here, we adapted the ‘inattentional blindness’ paradigm, to test whether olfactory awareness is dependent on attention. Across three experiments, participants performed a visual search task with either a high or low perceptual load (a well-established attentional manipulation) while exposed to an ambient coffee aroma. Consistent with our hypothesis, task load modulated olfactory awareness: 42.5% fewer participants in the high (vs. low) load condition reported noticing the coffee aroma. Our final experiment demonstrates that, due to unique characteristics of olfactory habituation, the consequences of inattentional anosmia can persist even once attention becomes available. These findings establish the phenomenon of inattentional anosmia, and have applied implications for predicting when people may miss potentially important olfactory information

    Novel foods in the European Union: Scientific requirements and challenges of the risk assessment process by the European Food Safety Authority

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    The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been involved in the risk assessment of novel foods since 2003. The implementation of the current novel food regulation in 2018 rendered EFSA the sole entity of the European Union responsible for such safety evaluations. The risk assessment is based on the data submitted by applicants in line with the scientific requirements described in the respective EFSA guidance document. The present work aims to elaborate on the rationale behind the scientific questions raised during the risk assessment of novel foods, with a focus on complex mixtures and whole foods. Novel foods received by EFSA in 2003–2019 were screened and clustered by nature and complexity. The requests for additional or supplementary information raised by EFSA during all risk assessments were analyzed for identifying reoccurring issues. In brief, it is shown that applications concern mainly novel foods derived from plants, microorganisms, fungi, algae, and animals. A plethora of requests relates to the production process, the compositional characterization of the novel food, and the evaluation of the product's toxicological profile. Recurring issues related to specific novel food categories were noted. The heterogeneous nature and the variable complexity of novel foods emphasize the challenge to tailor aspects of the evaluation approach to the characteristics of each individual product. Importantly, the scientific requirements for novel food applications set by EFSA are interrelated, and only a rigorous and cross-cutting approach adopted by the applicants when preparing the respective application dossiers can lead to scientifically sound dossiers. This is the first time that an in-depth analysis of the experience gained by EFSA in the risk assessment of novel foods and of the reasoning behind the most frequent scientific requests by EFSA to applicants is made

    Safety of iron milk proteinate as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and bioavailability of iron from this source in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on iron milk proteinate as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and to address the bioavailability of iron from this source in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC. The NF is a complex of iron, casein and phosphate, which is produced from iron salts (i.e. ferric chloride or ferric sulfate), sodium caseinate and potassium orthophosphate. The NF is proposed by the applicant to be used as a source of iron, of which the NF contains 2–4%. The applicant intends to market the NF as an ingredient in a number of food categories; in food supplements, in total diet replacement for weight control and in foods for special medical purposes. The Panel considers that, taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The studies provided for ADME and bioavailability indicate that iron from the NF is bioavailable. Overall, the evidence indicates that upon ingestion the NF undergoes digestion into small peptides to yield iron-bound caseinophosphopeptides that are normal constituents of the human diet, and that the iron from the NF does not bypass the homeostatic control of iron as a nutrient. The Panel concludes that the NF, iron milk proteinate, is safe under the proposed conditions of use. The Panel also concludes that the NF is a source from which iron is bioavailable

    Safety of tetrahydrocurcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on tetrahydrocurcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Tetrahydrocurcuminoids are derivatives of curcuminoids, produced chemically by hydrogenation of curcuminoids extracted from the rhizomes of C. longa L. The NF consists of more than 95% of tetrahydrocurcuminoids. The applicant proposed to use the NF in food supplements at a maximum dose of 300 mg/day for adults excluding pregnant and lactating women. Taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. There are no concerns regarding genotoxicity of the NF. Based on a 90-day oral toxicity study and a reproduction/developmental toxicity screening test performed with the NF, the Panel derives a safe level of 2 mg/kg body weight per day. For the target population this level corresponds to 140 mg/day, which is lower than the use level as proposed by the applicant. The Panel concludes that the NF, tetrahydrocurcuminoids from turmeric (C. longa L.), is safe for the target population at 140 mg/day

    Safety of chromium-enriched biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on chromium-enriched biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is the dried and heat-killed chromium-enriched biomass of Y. lipolytica. This yeast species is widespread in nature, can be found in the environment and in foods, and was attributed the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) status for production purposes in 2018, including food and feed products based on biomass of the yeast. The production process, fermentation in the presence of chromium chloride, includes a heat-killing step of the yeast, resulting in the absence of viable Y. lipolytica in the NF. The maximum total chromium content of the NF is 23 Îźg Cr/g, with the chromium present as Cr(III). The applicant proposed to use the NF as a food supplement. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population from 3 years of age onwards, with maximum proposed use levels of 2 g/day for children from 3 to 9 years of age and 4 g/day thereafter. At the proposed use levels of the NF, the combined intake of chromium provided by the NF, in addition to a background diet high in chromium, would result in total chromium intakes well below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for chromium(III) for all target population groups. The Panel concludes that the NF, chromium-enriched biomass of Y. lipolytica, is safe under the proposed conditions of use

    Safety of a botanical extract derived from Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus (AstraGin™) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on a botanical extract derived from both Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus (AstraGin™) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a combination of an ethanol extract of the roots of A. membranaceus and a hot water extract of the roots of P. notoginseng. The NF contains 1.5–5% total saponins, 0.1–0.5% ginsenoside Rb1 and 0.01–0.1% astragaloside I. Both plants that are used to produce the NF have a long history of use, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. Information on the production process and the composition of the NF is sufficient and does not raise safety concerns. The applicant proposed to use the NF as a food supplement for the general adult population, excluding pregnant women, at a maximum daily amount of 350 mg. Taking into account these conditions of use, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The provided genotoxicity studies do not raise concerns for genotoxicity of the NF. Based on the findings of a subchronic toxicity study, supported by a subacute toxicity study, the Panel identified the overall no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the NF at 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. By applying an uncertainty factor of 200, the Panel concludes that the NF is safe at an intake level of 0.5 mg/kg bw per day, corresponding to a maximum daily intake of 35 mg of the NF for the target population, i.e. adults excluding pregnant women

    Safety of dried whole cell Euglena gracilis as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of dried whole cell Euglena gracilis as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. E. gracilis is a single-cell microalga which occurs widely in nature and is commonly found in freshwater habitats. The NF, the dried biomass of E. gracilis, is produced by fermentation and its major constituent (> 50%) is a β-glucan polysaccharide. The applicant proposed to use the NF in food supplements, in foods for total diet replacement for weight control and as a food ingredient added to a number of food products. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population, except for food supplements and for foods for total diet replacement for which the target population is the general population from 12 months of age onwards. In 2019, E. gracilis was attributed the qualified presumption of safety (QPS)-status with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’, which includes food products based on microbial biomass of the microalga. Based on the information provided, E. gracilis is not expected to survive the manufacturing process. The submitted toxicity studies did not raise safety concerns. No adverse effects were observed in the subchronic toxicity study, up to the highest dose tested, i.e. 3,300 mg NF/kg body weight, considered as the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). The margins of exposure between this dose and the high (95th percentile) intake estimates, range from 33 for infants to 192 for adults. The Panel considers that in view of the QPS status of the source of the NF, supported by the compositional data and lack of toxicity observed in the 90-day study, the margins of exposure are sufficient. The Panel considers that the NF, i.e. dried whole cell Euglena gracilis, is safe at the proposed uses and use levels

    Safety of astaxanthin for its use as a novel food in food supplements

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of astaxanthin when used as a novel food in food supplements at maximum levels of 8 mg/day, taking into account the overall cumulative intake of astaxanthin from all food sources. In 2014, the NDA Panel assessed the safety of the novel astaxanthin-rich ingredient derived from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis in the context of an application submitted under Regulation (EC) No 258/1997. In that opinion, the NDA Panel considered that the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for astaxanthin was 0.034 mg/kg body weight (bw) set by the EFSA FEEDAP Panel in 2014. In 2019, the FEEDAP Panel adopted an opinion which concerned the renewal of the authorisation of dimethyldisuccinate-astaxanthin and a new use of the additive for crustaceans and other fish than salmonids. In that assessment, the FEEDAP Panel derived a new ADI of 0.2 mg astaxanthin/kg bw which replaced the ADI of 0.034 mg/kg bw established in 2014. By taking into account an updated exposure assessment for astaxanthin from the background diet (fish and crustaceans) in combination with 8 mg from food supplements, the NDA Panel concludes that (i) such combined exposure to astaxanthin is safe for adults, (ii) 14 to < 18 years old adolescents reach the ADI, and (iii) the ADI is exceeded by 28% in children aged 10 to < 14 years and up to 524% in infants aged 4–6 months

    Safety of paramylon as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on paramylon as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Paramylon is a linear, unbranched beta-1,3-ᴅ-glucan polymer that is isolated from the single-cell microalga Euglena gracilis. The NF consists of at least 95% beta-glucan and minor amounts of protein, fat, ash and moisture. The applicant proposed to use the NF in food supplements, as a food ingredient added to a number of food categories and in foods for total diet replacement for weight control. In 2019, E. gracilis was attributed the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) status with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’, which includes food products based on microbial biomass of the microalga. Based on the information provided, E. gracilis is not expected to survive the manufacturing process. The submitted toxicity studies did not raise safety concerns. No adverse effects were observed in the subchronic toxicity studies, up to the highest dose tested, i.e. 5,000 mg NF/kg body weight per day. In view of the QPS status of the source of the NF, supported by the manufacturing process, compositional data and lack of toxicity observed in the toxicity studies, the Panel has no safety concerns and concludes that the NF, i.e. paramylon, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels

    Psychology of Fragrance Use: Perception of Individual Odor and Perfume Blends Reveals a Mechanism for Idiosyncratic Effects on Fragrance Choice

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    Cross-culturally, fragrances are used to modulate body odor, but the psychology of fragrance choice has been largely overlooked. The prevalent view is that fragrances mask an individual's body odor and improve its pleasantness. In two experiments, we found positive effects of perfume on body odor perception. Importantly, however, this was modulated by significant interactions with individual odor donors. Fragrances thus appear to interact with body odor, creating an individually-specific odor mixture. In a third experiment, the odor mixture of an individual's body odor and their preferred perfume was perceived as more pleasant than a blend of the same body odor with a randomly-allocated perfume, even when there was no difference in pleasantness between the perfumes. This indicates that fragrance use extends beyond simple masking effects and that people choose perfumes that interact well with their own odor. Our results provide an explanation for the highly individual nature of perfume choice
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