Acid Prolyl Endopeptidase from Aspergillus niger GEP (ICS Codes: 67.220.20)

Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to Enable the Use of Acid Prolyl Endopeptidase from Aspergillus niger GEP in Certain Foods - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0155. Language(s): English and French    Number of pages: 4

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of acid prolyl endopeptidase (a type of protease) from Aspergillus niger GEP in brewers' mash; ale, beer, light beer, malt liquor, porter, stout; distiller's mash, and protein hydrolysates (hydrolyzed animal, milk and vegetable protein). In addition, the use of this enzyme from this source was also requested in cereal- and plant-derived ingredients which will be further used as ingredients in the manufacture of non-alcoholic plant-based beverages.

Protease from other sources is already permitted for use in Canada as a food enzyme in the same foods that the petitioner has requested, with the exception of brewers' mash. However, the GEP strain of Aspergillus niger, which expresses the protease "acid prolyl endopeptidase", is not a permitted source organism for any food enzyme in Canada.

The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of acid prolyl endopeptidase from A. niger GEP for its requested uses. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of this enzyme from this source described in the information document by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective 9 October 2020.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for any inquiries or for those wishing to submit any new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.