Red yeast rice not a novel food, says EC panel
Fermented red yeast rice can be used in supplements without novel foods approval, says an EC panel following evidence of prior use in Italy.
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has concluded that “'fermented red yeast rice' when used in or as food supplement, should not be considered as subject to the novel food Regulation”.
Red yeast rice is the product of yeast grown on rice. It is a dietary staple in some Asian countries, and reportedly contains several compounds that inhibit cholesterol production.
Consideration of the ingredient’s status was requested by Belgium, and Italy confirmed that food supplement products containing red yeast rice were indeed on the Italian market before the Novel Food Regulation entered into law on May 15, 1997.
