Page 33 - FoodFocusThailand No.214 JANUARY 2024

SPECIAL FOCUS

The kernels from the edible the global market. Particularly for Thailand, which is considered a significant source
variety of Jatropha curcas L. and readiness of agricultural and industrial sectors to produce various raw materials
Jatropha curcas L. is commonly for Novel Food, such as seaweed, duckweed, mushrooms, and crickets, which
used to produce fuel, lubricant, cosmetics, exist in nature. However, applying technology and innovation to create Novel Food
and soap. However, after the submission into Future Food products that meet food security policies is challenging. It is also
of JatroSolutions GmbH, Germany, EFSA considered a significant opportunity for entrepreneurs to enter a market with
evaluated and approved that kernels from continuous growth potential, not only domestic but also export, to gain competitive
the edible variety of Jatropha curcas L. advantages in the global market.
are safe and meet the requirements laid
down in Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. So,
these kernels are included in the list of
Novel Food throughout the hydrothermal More Information Service Info C003
treatment. The novel food kernels are
established to be used as such, candied
or sugar preserved, or as processed nuts
as a snack, and as a food ingredient in
cereal bars, in breakfast cereals, and
dried fruits with the maximum level
consumption at 5 grams/100 grams,
according to the Commission
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/965,
authorising the placing on the market of
kernels from the edible variety of Jatropha
curcas L. as a Novel Food.
Fresh plants of Wolffia arrhiza
and/or Wolffia globosa European
Commission announced the
Commission Implementing Regulation
(EU) 2021/2191, authorising the placing
on the market of fresh plants of Wolffia
arrhiza and/or Wolffia globosa as a
traditional food from a third country, which
is classified as a Novel Food in the EU.
The applicant demonstrated that fresh
plants of Wolffia arrhiza and/or Wolffia
globosa have a history of safe food use
in Southeast Asia, particularly in Laos,
Myanmar, and Thailand. EFSA, therefore,
allowed these fresh plants to be sold in
the EU market. However, there are even
a few concerns regarding food safety due
to these fresh plants may be contaminated
with some heavy metals from natural
water sources or some trace elements
such as copper, molybdenum, zinc, and
manganese, which may occur cause the
use of fertilisers in the cultivation. The
presence of these elements may pose a
safety concern for human health. It is,
therefore, appropriate to establish
maximum levels of heavy metals and
some trace elements in the specifications
of this Traditional Food in the Union list
of authorised Novel Foods.
In addition to being called Novel Food,
various types of Novel Food can meet
the needs of health and sustainable
environment-conscious consumers,
including strengthening food security, at
the same time. Therefore, it can be
another mega trend worth watching in

JAN 2024 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 33

21/12/2566 BE 19:17
29-33_Special Focus_Novel Foods.indd 33 21/12/2566 BE 19:17
29-33_Special Focus_Novel Foods.indd 33