EFSA issues favourable Scientific Opinion of thaumatin

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a favourable Scientific Opinion on the safety of thaumatin (E 957) for extended use.

Thaumatin is a multi-functional food additive derived from the fruit Thaumatococcus Danielli that improves the taste profile of foods and beverages, masks off-tastes, enhances flavours, and improves the taste of sugar and salt replacers.

Thaumatin can help with sugar and salt reduction

The extended use of thaumatin opens the door to a broad range of new applications in several food categories namely: salt substitutes (to reduce their off-tastes); soups, sauces and snacks (to increase flavour perception and enable salt reduction); energy reduced breakfast cereals, jams and jellies (to increase the perceived sweetness when used in combination with other sweeteners); food supplements to mask the aftertaste or the bitterness of some actives; and alcoholic beverages to lift and rebalance the overall flavour. The extended use also allows for an increase in the currently approved maximum use level in flavoured drinks. There is also the possibility to use it as a food additive in food flavourings under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

Naturex, a global leader in speciality plant-based natural ingredients, markets thaumatin as Talin. Commenting on the news, Amandine de Santi, Food & Beverage Business Manager at Naturex, said: “As a leading actor in the Thaumatin category, Naturex is duty bound to contribute to the market’s development. We are pleased to be able to open discussions in order to move forward on this key issue.”