Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 224 (FGE.224): Consideration of genotoxic potential for two alpha,beta-unsaturated thiophenes from subgroup 5.2 of FGE.19 by EFSA

The Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids of the European Food Safety Authority was requested to evaluate the genotoxic potential of two flavouring substances from subgroup 5.2 of FGE.19 in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 224 (FGE.224). The Flavour Industry has provided additional genotoxicity studies for one of the two substances in FGE.224, namely 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarbaldehyde [FLno: 15.004]. The data requested by EFSA for the other substance, 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene [FL-no: 15.024] of FGE.224 will be provided subsequently according to the Flavour Industry. Based on the new data the Panel concluded that 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarbaldehyde does not give rise to concern with respect to genotoxicity and can accordingly be evaluated using the Procedure. For the other substance in subgroup 5.2, 3acetyl- 2,5-dimethylthiophene, the requested genotoxicity data are still pending and no conclusion could be drawn in the present FGE. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2013