The delegated regulation (EU) 2024/2512published on September 25, 2024, amends Annex II of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011, which lists substances likely to cause allergies. L’behenic acid, derived from mustard seedsis used in certain emulsifiers such as E 470a (sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids), E 471 (mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids) and E 477 (esters of 1,2-propane -fatty acid diol). These additives are found in products such as margarines, baked goods, ice cream and some confectionery products.
Entry into force on April 1, 2025
About 1,000 times less than the dose needed to trigger a reaction
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had issued in 2016 an opinion concluding that emulsifiers containing behenic acid did not represent a significant allergic risk for individuals sensitive to mustard, under certain conditions (in this case, behenic acid with a minimum purity of 85%, obtained after two distillation phases).
Tests carried out at the time showed that the amounts of residual mustard protein in these emulsifiers are extremely low (approximately 0.00119 mg per serving, or approximately 1000 times less than the dose necessary to trigger a reaction in a person allergic to mustard, about 1 mg). After concerns raised by a Member State in 2023 regarding daily exposure to these substances, theEfsa has reviewed its advice and confirmed that the likelihood of triggering an allergic reaction remains extremely lowless than 1%.
Find our file on allergen labeling in the October 2024 issue.
