Quillaia extract E 999 and proposed wider uses
What it found
Widening the uses of quillaia extract E 999 could push some children, teenagers and older people past the daily intake the EFSA panel set in 2019.
The panel could not judge one proposed use on fresh fruit and vegetables because no use levels were provided.
What they found
Daily intake limit
In 2019 the panel set an acceptable daily intake of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day for E 999.
Wider supplement uses
The panel concluded that the proposed wider use, if given the go-ahead, could result in an exceedance of the acceptable daily intake at the maximum of the ranges of the mean for children, adolescents and the elderly, and for all populations at the 95th percentile.
Fresh produce use
No information was provided on the proposed use levels of E 999 on a saponins content basis for use as a carrier for glazing agents on whole fresh fruits and vegetables. The panel was not able to evaluate the safety of this wider use.
Specification changes
The panel recommended some modifications of the existing EU specifications for E 999, mainly to lower the limits for lead, mercury and arsenic and to include a maximum limit for cadmium and for calcium oxalate. It also recommended that the limits be expressed on a saponins basis.
Definition of E 999
The panel proposed to revise the definition of E 999 to better describe the composition in a qualitative way.
What the authors conclude
“The Panel concluded that the proposed extension of use, if authorised, could result in an exceedance of the ADI at the maximum of the ranges of the mean for children, adolescents and the elderly, and for all populations at the 95th percentile.”
Also in their conclusions
- They concluded that the proposed extension of use, if authorised, could result in an exceedance of the ADI at the maximum of the ranges of the mean for children, adolescents and the elderly, and for all populations at the 95th percentile.
- They recommended some modifications of the existing EU specifications for E 999, mainly to lower the limits for lead, mercury and arsenic and to include a maximum limit for cadmium and for calcium oxalate.
- They proposed to revise the definition of E 999 to better describe the composition in a qualitative way.
How it was done
The panel re-evaluated quillaia extract E 999 in 2019 and set an acceptable daily intake of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day. After a European Commission call for data, this follow-up looked at new data sent in by interested business operators.
The panel assessed data submitted by interested business operators to support changes to the EU specifications for E 999. It also assessed proposed wider uses in solid and liquid food supplements, excluding supplements for infants and young children, and as a carrier in botanical nutrients, plus a proposed use as a carrier for glazing agents on whole fresh fruits and vegetables.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The panel could not evaluate the safety of using E 999 as a carrier for glazing agents on whole fresh fruits and vegetables because no use levels were provided.
- This opinion is based on intake estimates and specification data, so it cannot show what health effects might occur in people eating these products.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- If you wish to access the declaration of interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu.
The paper
- Title
- Follow-up of the re-evaluation of quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive and safety of the proposed extension of uses
- Type
- Scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes M, Aquilina G, et al (2024). Follow-up of the re-evaluation of quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive and safety of the proposed extension of uses. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8563Free full textPubMed 38322232DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error