Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the peels of grapes, blueberries, raspberries and mulberries as well as peanuts, has become a very popular health ingredient in recent years. The Food and Drug Administration officially announced today (29th) the "Restrictions on the use and labeling of trans-resveratrol, the food raw material produced by fermentation of the genetically modified brewer's yeast EFSC4687 strain", and approved for the first time that genetically modified trans-resveratrol can be used In food raw materials, but the daily consumption limit is 150 mg, and it is limited to adults only.
The Food and Drug Administration announced today (29th) the formulation of the "Use Restrictions and Labeling Requirements for Food Raw Materials Trans-Resveratrol (trans-resveratrol) Produced by Fermentation of Genetically Modified Brewer's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) EFSC4687 Strain" and has since issued it Implemented on the day.
Lin Jinfu, deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration, said that resveratrol has antioxidant and anti-aging effects. In the past, it was mainly extracted from grape skins. This announcement is the first time in China that it has been approved to use genetically modified beer yeast to artificially manufacture and purify it as food raw materials. After the announcement, it can be used as food raw materials for health food, dietary supplements and other purposes.
Lin Jinfu said that the Food and Drug Administration mainly referred to EU regulations and set a daily consumption limit of 150 mg. In addition, trans-resveratrol raw materials themselves must be labeled with relevant production source information, and foods using trans-resveratrol as raw materials should be labeled "This product is for adults only. Pregnant women and lactating people should avoid consumption; "drug users must consult a physician before use" warning.
In addition to patients with chronic diseases who must consult a doctor before consumption, Lin Jinfu said that because pregnant women and lactating people do not need and are not suitable to eat foods containing trans-resveratrol as a raw material because it may affect infants and young children, they should avoid eating it.
The Food and Drug Administration emphasized that the newly regulated trans-resveratrol is fermented and produced using the genetically modified brewer's yeast strain EFSC4687 and is produced through a series of purification steps. The final product does not contain genetically modified microorganisms and their transgenic gene fragments. After the regulations are officially implemented, if the raw materials used in food are found to be not in compliance with the relevant regulations, Articles 47 and 48 of the Food Safety Act will impose a fine of not less than NT$30,000 but not more than NT$3 million.
