In February 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its safety assessment of monacolins from red yeast rice, including monacolin K, as part of the Article 8 procedure of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. Monacolins are currently listed in the list of substances whose use is restricted in accordance with Annex III, Part B of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. Following the withdrawal of the health claim for monacolin K by the EU Commission in mid-2024, a complete ban on the use of monacolins from red yeast rice in food is now expected based on EFSA's current safety assessment.

The full article is available in DLR 06/25 (in German only).

In June 2025, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a revised list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) on PTFE non-stick coatings (FAQ dated 2 June 2025).

The polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which chemically belongs to the group of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), is often used as a coating material for cookware. Its water- and grease-repellent properties prevent food from sticking when heated. According to the BfR, no health risks are to be expected when non-stick coated cookware is used as intended.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a revised list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the subject of PET bottles (FAQ dated 28 May 2025). PET is the abbreviation for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic used to manufacture many beverage bottles and other food packaging.

One of the main concerns among consumers is whether hormone-active substances from PET bottles are transferred into beverages. According to the BfR, a comparison between mineral waters from PET bottles and glass bottles shows no difference in the hormonal effects measured in cell cultures.

In May 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an updated risk assessment on perchlorate in food (EFSA Journal. 2025;23:e9393.). Therein, EFSA derives a new tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1.4 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day for perchlorate. The new TDI is clearly higher than the TDI of 0.3 µg/kg bw derived in 2014 (approx. 4.5-times higher), however, is still based on the inhibition of iodine uptake by the thyroid gland in healthy adults. As the TDI is applicable for both short-term (approximately 2-week period) and chronic exposures, according to EFSA an acute reference dose (ARfD) for perchlorate was still deemed not necessary.

In November 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its opinion on the re-evaluation of the food additive saccharin and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts (E 954). EFSA concludes that saccharins are safe for human consumption, but that the specifications regarding the manufacturing process and purity criteria need to be adjusted.

The full article is available in DLR 05/25 (in German only).

In October 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) completed its follow-up on the re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive for use in foods for all population groups, including infants below 16 weeks of age. EFSA classifies the use of E 551 as safe. Only amendments of the specifications in Regulation (EU) No. 231/2012 is expected around the end of 2025.

The full article is available in DLR 03/25 (in German only).