The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion concluding that the food enzyme arabinan endo-1,5-alpha-L-arabinanase produced from the non-genetically modified Aspergillus tubingensis strain GPA41 is safe for its intended use in fruit and vegetable juice production. The assessment, released on 13 May 2026, found no safety concerns under the proposed conditions of use, clearing the way for potential EU authorization.
The opinion was prepared by EFSA's Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP). The enzyme is intended to be used in the processing of fruits and vegetables to produce juices, where it helps break down arabinan, a component of plant cell walls, thereby improving juice yield and clarity. The applicant, a food enzyme manufacturer, submitted a dossier requesting EFSA's evaluation as part of the EU's regulatory framework for food enzymes.
EFSA's evaluation covered potential toxicity, allergenicity, and the safety of the production strain. The panel concluded that the enzyme does not raise safety concerns under the intended conditions of use, based on the absence of genotoxicity, the lack of adverse effects in repeated-dose toxicity studies, and the low likelihood of allergic reactions. The production strain, Aspergillus tubingensis GPA41, is not genetically modified and is considered safe for enzyme production.
This scientific opinion is a key step in the EU's authorization process for food enzymes. Following EFSA's positive assessment, the European Commission will propose a regulation to authorize the enzyme, which will then be voted on by EU member states in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed. If approved, the enzyme will be added to the EU list of authorized food enzymes.
Impact on stakeholders
Food enzyme manufacturers stand to benefit from a new authorized product, potentially expanding their market in the EU. Fruit juice producers could gain access to an enzyme that improves processing efficiency and product quality. Consumers may see no direct impact, as the enzyme is removed or inactivated during processing. However, the opinion reinforces the EU's rigorous safety assessment system, which ensures that only safe enzymes reach the market. No negative impacts were identified for any stakeholder group in EFSA's assessment.
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