EFSA finds pharma pill coating is safe for food supplements

EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) concluded ‘Polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft​-co-polymer’ (a PVA-PEG graft​ co-polymer) presented no safety issues when used in food supplements.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition UK (CRN-UK) said the food supplements sector would be interested in the approval.

“The PVA-PEG graft co-polymer is designed to protect against unpleasant tastes or odours, improve appearance, make tablets easier to swallow, give a distinctive appearance and create a protective barrier,”​ said CRN-UK technical advisor, Sam Jennings.

“Although certain existing authorised additives may perform some or all of these functions, the PVA-PEG graft co-polymer has the advantage of not reacting with any key components of the tablet, as the plasticiser is covalently bound in the co-polymer and cannot migrate into the tablet core.”​

The ANS opinion can be found here​.