Not enough safety data on chia, says EFSA

By Dominique Patton

- Last updated on GMT

European food safety experts are calling for further safety studies
on the omega-3 rich seed chia, before it can be introduced onto the
European market.

Northern Irish company R Craig has applied for novel foods approval for chia (Salvia hispanica L​.) seed, imported from South America, for use as an ingredient in bread.

R Craig suggests that a 5 per cent chia content in bread would provide the recommended daily intake of omega-3, offering a more feasible source for many people than fish or supplements.

The seeds are also high in protein (21 per cent) and a rich source of B vitamins, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and copper.

But concerns raised by the UK and other member states prompted further investigation by the European Food Safety Authority.

In an opinion published yesterday, it said there are "uncertainties with regard to the potential allergenicity of chia".

It said that there are insufficient data available to "exclude the presence of constituents which might exert anti-nutritional or toxic effects".

"Therefore the safety of chia cannot be established from the available information and additional studies are required,"​ it concluded.

Historically, chia seeds have been eaten in South America and were a major food crop of the Aztecs throughout Mexico and Guatemala, but they have not been consumed much in Europe.

A study in Canada on 20 type 2 diabetes subjects found that a chia supplement significantly lowered systolic blood pressure and altered coagulation factors.

Related topics Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Related news

Related products

show more

Algal Oil or Fish Oil: Which Should I Choose?

Algal Oil or Fish Oil: Which Should I Choose?

Content provided by GC Rieber VivoMega™ | 04-Oct-2024 | Infographic

Are you fishing for answers when it comes to omega-3s from fish oil vs. algal oil? Do you find yourself asking if EPA or DHA from fish oil is the same...

Meeting Consumers’ Demand for Plant-Based Omegas

Meeting Consumers’ Demand for Plant-Based Omegas

Content provided by Fruit D'or | 17-Jul-2024 | White Paper

Omega supplement brands looking to offer alternatives to fish oil now have a solution for consumers concerned about the environment, availability, and...

Harness the power of algae for omega-3 innovation

Harness the power of algae for omega-3 innovation

Content provided by dsm-firmenich | 18-Jun-2024 | Insight Guide

Algal-sourced omega-3s have limitless potential, able to scale to meet the needs of our planet’s population with twice the potency – naturally – and all...

Ride the next wave of omega-3 innovation

Ride the next wave of omega-3 innovation

Content provided by dsm-firmenich | 01-Jun-2024 | Insight Guide

Fish oil supplies can’t scale to meet the needs of the planet’s growing population, but life’s®OMEGA can.

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars