The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that the food enzyme phospholipase A1 from genetically modified Aspergillus oryzae strain NZYM-PP does not pose safety concerns when used in four food manufacturing processes, including three newly requested applications. In a scientific opinion adopted on 24 June 2026 and published on 15 July 2026, EFSA updated its previous safety evaluation to cover additional uses in fermented dairy products, specialty dairy products, and plant-based analogues of milk and milk products, alongside the previously assessed cheese production. The dietary exposure to the enzyme's total organic solids (TOS) was estimated at up to 0.063 mg TOS per kg body weight per day for infants at the 95th percentile, the highest among European populations. Based on a no observed adverse effect level of 575 mg TOS per kg body weight per day from earlier studies, the margin of exposure was at least 9,127, which EFSA considers sufficient to conclude safety under the revised conditions of use.
The opinion updates a January 2023 evaluation that had cleared the enzyme for use in a single process. The applicant, Novozymes A/S, submitted a request on 9 July 2025 to extend the enzyme's uses. EFSA conducted a public consultation from 26 February to 19 March 2026, receiving no comments. The enzyme, produced by a genetically modified Aspergillus oryzae strain, catalyzes the hydrolysis of phospholipids and is used to improve texture in dairy and plant-based products. The Panel noted that the enzyme is inactivated in most processes but may remain active in cheeses depending on heat treatment. The assessment followed EFSA's guidance on food enzyme dossiers and exposure assessment methodologies.
The decision impacts several stakeholders. For food manufacturers, particularly those producing dairy and plant-based alternatives, the extended approval offers a new processing aid to enhance product texture, potentially improving competitiveness and product quality. Consumers face negligible dietary exposure, with margins of exposure exceeding 9,000, indicating no health risk. The enzyme producer, Novozymes A/S, benefits from an expanded market for its product. EU regulatory bodies, including EFSA and the European Commission, maintain a rigorous safety assessment framework, ensuring that only enzymes with demonstrated safety reach the market. The opinion will inform the European Commission's decision on updating the Union list of authorized food enzymes.