Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 23, Revision 4 (FGE.23Rev4): Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic ethers including anisole derivatives from chemical groups 15, 16, 22, 26 and 30

The Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids of the European Food Safety Authority was requested to evaluate 21 flavouring substances in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 23, Revision 4, using the Procedure in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000. This revision is made due to the inclusion of one additional flavouring substance, 2S-cis-tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1-propenyl)-2H-pyran [FL-no: 13.170]. None of the substances were considered to have genotoxic potential. The substances were evaluated through a stepwise approach (the Procedure) that integrates information on structure-activity relationships, intake from current uses, toxicological threshold of concern, and available data on metabolism and toxicity. The Panel concluded that all 21 substances [FL-no: 02.247, 02.248, 03.008, 03.011, 03.012, 03.015, 03.016, 03.020, 03.022, 03.024, 04.059, 04.067, 04.068, 04.069, 04.075, 04.079, 04.084, 08.127, 09.687, 13.170 and 13.200] do not give rise to safety concerns at their levels of dietary intake, estimated on the basis of the MSDI approach. Besides the safety assessment of these flavouring substances, the specifications for the materials of commerce have also been considered. Specifications including complete purity criteria and identity for the materials of commerce have been provided for all 21 candidate substances.