Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) on a request for initial assessment for marketing of chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds in sterilized ready-to-serve meals based on cereal, pseudocereals and/or pulse grains under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 on novel foods and novel food ingredients

The company Herba Ricemills S.L.U. requested authorization to market chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds in sterilized ready-to-serve meals based on cereal, pseudocereals and/or pulse grains in the European Union. This would be an extension of use of the novel food authorized in 2009, 2013 and 2015. The AECOSAN Scientific Committee takes the view that, according to the information provided, there is no indication that consumption of chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds in ready-to-serve meals based on cereal, pseudocereals and/or pulse grains, under the conditions proposed by the applicant, can produce adverse effects on health. The Committee concludes that the novel food presented for assessment meets the criteria for acceptance laid down by Regulation (EC) No 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (UE, 1997a).