Scientific Opinion on the safety of <em>Arracacia xanthorrhiza</em> as a novel food

• Main Author: EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: Arracacia xanthorrhiza; novel food; arracacha
• Online Access: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/3954.pdf

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of “Arracacia xanthorrhiza”. This novel food (NF) comprises pre-cooked and individually quick-frozen slices, chunks and “other formats” of the roots of Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft (arracacha roots).Arracacia xanthorrhiza var. xanthorrhiza (cultivated) is one of three varieties of this species. In the original application the analytical methods employed for the batch testing of these three lots from 2008 had not been described and certificates regarding the accreditation of the laboratory had been missing. No data on secondary plant metabolites were provided. The applicant provided data on cultivation, production tonnage and human consumption, including information on the preparation and recipes for arracacha used in South American countries. According to the applicant, arracacha is consumed in the same way as other crops such as potato, cassava, yam or carrot. The NF is intended for human consumption in dishes such as “sudados”, soups and stews. EFSA requested the applicant to provide information on potential “other formats” of the NF intended by the applicant, compositional data on a current lot of the NF covering all analyses contained in the specifications of the NF as proposed in the original application and analysed by a certified laboratory and analytical data on the presence of secondary metabolites, in particular of coumarin and monoterpene derivatives. EFSA also asked for details on the two-step steam heating process, in particular time –temperature conditions. As the applicant did not respond to the request by EFSA, the Panel cannot conclude on the safety of the NF.