September 2, 2010
Ajinomoto has filed a novel foods application with the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) for a synthetic chilli pepper extract the Japanese supplier says has weight management potential. Its 93-page submission highlights the ability of the extract – dihydrocapsiate (DHC) – to boost energy and fat oxidation and therefore benefit weight management. The application will be assessed by the FSA-appointed Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) which said that, “under a conservative set of assumptions” typical intakes were unlikely to exceed 0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg body weight/day for an adult or 0.4 to 1mg/kg bw/day for a child, well within standard safety limits. In the US, DHC has GRAS (generally recognised as safe) status in the food supply at levels between 1-3g per day.
Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Ajinomoto-seeks-chilli-extract-EU-novel-foods-approval