Safety of 3-FL (3-Fucosyllactose) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Safety of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) produced by a derivative strain of Escherichia coli K-12 DH1 as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) 3-FL, but it also contains d-lactose, l-fucose, 3-fucosyllactulose and a small fraction of other related saccharides. The NF is produced by fermentation by a genetically modified strain (Escherichia coli K-12 DH1 MDO MAP1834) of E. coli K-12 DH1 (DSM 4235). The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, including infant formula and follow-on formula, food for special medical purposes and food supplements (FS). The target population is the general population. The anticipated daily intake of 3-FL from both proposed and combined (authorised and proposed) uses at their respective maximum use levels in all population categories does not exceed the highest intake level of 3-FL from human milk in infants on a body weight basis. The intake of 3-FL in breastfed infants on a body weight basis is expected to be safe also for other population groups. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to 3-FL is also considered of no safety concern. FS are not intended to be used if other foods with added 3-FL or human milk are consumed on the same day. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Safety of 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt produced by derivative strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) 6'-SL, but it also contains d-lactose, 6'-sialyllactulose, sialic acid, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and a small fraction of other related oligosaccharides. The NF is produced by fermentation with two genetically modified strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), the production strain and the optional degradation strain. The information provided on the identity, manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, including infant formula and follow-on formula, food for special medical purposes and food supplements. The target population is the general population. In some scenarios at the maximum use levels, the estimated intakes per kg body weight were higher than the high average natural intake of 6'-SL from human milk. However, given the intrinsic nature of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), the wide range of intakes from human milk, and considering that infants are naturally exposed to similar amounts of these substances, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF at the proposed conditions of use does not raise safety concerns. The intake of 6'-SL in breastfed infants on a body weight basis is also expected to be safe for other population groups. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to 6'-SL is also considered of no safety concern. Food supplements are not intended to be used if other foods with added 6'-SL or human milk are consumed on the same day. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Safety of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) produced by a derivative strain (APC199) of Corynebacterium glutamicumATCC 13032 as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) 2'-FL, but it also contains d-lactose, l-fucose, 3-fucosyllactose, difucosyllactose, d-glucose and d-galactose. The NF is produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain (APC199) of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032. 2'-FL, when chemically synthesised or produced by fermentation with derivative strains of Escherichia coli K-12 DH1 or E. coli BL21 (DE3), is already authorised and included in the EU list of NFs. This application refers to a change in the production process and specifications, while target population, conditions of use and consequently, the anticipated intake remain unchanged. The information provided on the identity, production process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to 2'-FL is also considered of no safety concern. In line with other milk oligosaccharides that are natural components of human milk, the safety assessment of this NF is mainly based on the comparison between the intake of breastfed infants and the estimated intake as NF. Given that the NF would be consumed at the same extent as the already authorised 2'-FL, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF at the proposed uses and use levels does not raise safety concerns. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Human milk oligosaccharides induce acute yet reversible compositional changes in the gut microbiota of conventional mice linked to a reduction of butyrate levels

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are glycans with prebiotic properties known to drive microbial selection in the infant gut, which in turn influences immune development and future health. Bifidobacteria are specialized in HMO degradation and frequently dominate the gut microbiota of breastfed infants. However, some species of Bacteroidaceae also degrade HMOs, which may prompt selection also of these species in the gut microbiota. To investigate to what extent specific HMOs affect the abundance of naturally occurring Bacteroidaceae species in a complex mammalian gut environment, we conducted a study in 40 female NMRI mice administered three structurally different HMOs, namely 6'sialyllactose (6'SL, n = 8), 3-fucosyllactose (3FL, n = 16), and Lacto-N-Tetraose (LNT, n = 8), through drinking water (5%). Compared to a control group receiving unsupplemented drinking water (n = 8), supplementation with each of the HMOs significantly increased both the absolute and relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae species in faecal samples and affected the overall microbial composition analyzed by 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing. The compositional differences were mainly attributed to an increase in the relative abundance of the genus Phocaeicola (formerly Bacteroides) and a concomitant decrease of the genus Lacrimispora (formerly Clostridium XIVa cluster). During a 1-week washout period performed specifically for the 3FL group, this effect was reversed. Short-chain fatty acid analysis of faecal water revealed a decrease in acetate, butyrate and isobutyrate levels in animals supplemented with 3FL, which may reflect the observed decrease in the Lacrimispora genus. This study highlights HMO-driven Bacteroidaceae selection in the gut environment, which may cause a reduction of butyrate-producing clostridia.

Safety of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) produced by a derivative strain of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as a Novel Food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) 3-FL, but it also contains d-lactose, l-fucose, d-glucose and d-galactose, and a small fraction of other related saccharides. The NF is produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, including infant formula and follow-on formula, food for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements. The target population is the general population. The anticipated daily intake of 3-FL from both proposed and combined (authorised and proposed) uses at their respective maximum use levels in all population categories does not exceed the highest intake level of 3-FL from human milk in infants on a body weight basis. The intake of 3-FL in breastfed infants on a body weight basis is expected to be safe also for other population groups. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to 3-FL is also considered of no safety concern. Food supplements are not intended to be used if other foods with added 3-FL or human milk are consumed on the same day. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Safety of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) produced by derivative strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as a Novel Food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a powdered mixture mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) LNT, but it also contains d-lactose, lacto-N-triose II and para-lacto-N-hexaose, and a small fraction of other related saccharides. The NF is produced by fermentation with two genetically modified strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), the production strain and the optional degradation strain. The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, including infant and follow-on formula, food for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements. The target population is the general population. The anticipated daily intake of LNT from the NF at the maximum proposed use levels does not exceed the intake level of naturally occurring LNT in breastfed infants on a body weight basis. The intake of LNT in breastfed infants on a body weight basis is expected to be safe also for other population groups. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to LNT is also considered of no safety concern. Food supplements are not intended to be used if other foods with added LNT or human milk are consumed on the same day. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Safety of 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) sodium salt produced by derivative strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as a Novel Food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

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 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) sodium salt as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is mainly composed of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide (HiMO) 3'-SL, but it also contains d-lactose, 3'-sialyllactulose, sialic acid, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and a small fraction of other related oligosaccharides. The NF is produced by fermentation with two genetically modified strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), the production strain and the optional degradation strain. The information provided on the manufacturing process, composition and specifications of the NF does not raise safety concerns. The applicant intends to add the NF to a variety of foods, including infant formula and follow-on formula, food for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements. The target population is the general population. The anticipated daily intake of 3'-SL from both proposed and combined (authorised and proposed) uses at their respective maximum use levels in all population categories does not exceed the highest intake level of 3'-SL from human milk in infants on a body weight basis. The intake of 3'-SL in breastfed infants on a body weight basis is expected to be safe also for other population groups. The intake of other carbohydrate-type compounds structurally related to 3'-SL is also considered of no safety concern. Food supplements are not intended to be used if other foods with added 3'-SL or human milk are consumed on the same day. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.