Abstract
Abstract The food enzyme cellulase (4‐(1,3;1,4)‐β‐D‐glucan‐4‐glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.4) is produced with the non‐genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain 294 by Kerry Ingredients & Flavours Ltd. The safety of this food enzyme was evaluated previously, and it did not give rise to safety concerns when used in eight food manufacturing processes for adolescents, adults and the elderly. Subsequently, the applicant has requested to extend its use to include three additional processes and to revise the use levels. In this assessment, EFSA updated the safety evaluation of this food enzyme when used in a total of eleven food manufacturing processes. As the food enzyme–Total Organic Solids (TOS) are removed in two food manufacturing processes, the dietary exposure to the food enzyme–TOS was estimated for the remaining nine processes. It was estimated to be up to 2.998 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. When combined with the no observed adverse effect level previously reported (794 mg TOS/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested), the Panel derived a margin of exposure of at least 265 for all age groups. Based on the revised exposure estimation, the newly derived margin of exposure and the previous evaluation, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the revised intended conditions of use.