Update of the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS) recommended microbiological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 18: Suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2023

Abstract

The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre‐evaluation of the safety of microorganisms, intended for use in the food or feed chains, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge and safety concerns. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by ‘qualifications’. In the period covered by this Statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Of 38 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2022 and March 2023 (inclusive) (28 as feed additives, 5 as food enzymes, food additives and flavourings, 5 as novel foods), 34 were not evaluated because: 8 were filamentous fungi, 4 were Enterococcus faecium and 2 were Escherichia coli (taxonomic units that are excluded from the QPS evaluation) and 20 were taxonomic units (TUs) that already have a QPS status. Three of the other four TUs notified within this period were evaluated for the first time for a possible QPS status: Anaerobutyricum soehngenii, Stutzerimonas stutzeri (former Pseudomonas stutzeri) and Nannochloropsis oculata. Microorganism strain DSM 11798 has also been notified in 2015 and as its taxonomic unit is notified as a strain not a species, it is not suitable for the QPS approach. A. soehngenii and N. oculata are not recommended for the QPS status due to a limited body of knowledge of its use in the food and feed chains. S. stutzeri is not recommended for inclusion in the QPS list based on safety concerns and limited information about the exposure of animals and humans through the food and feed chains.

Rapid and Accurate Quantification of Viable Lactobacillus Cells in Infant Formula by Flow Cytometry Combined with Propidium Monoazide and Signal-Enhanced Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

“…However, in this study, the use of the oligonucleotide probe was slightly timeconsuming. To decrease the TTR of the PMA-SEFISH-FCM method, the different conditions of fixation time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min) and hybridization time (10,20,30,40,50, and 60 min) were compared, while other conditions were kept constant. The optimized conditions should provide more stained cells and ensure that most of the events that represent Lactobacillus cells were located at the well-setting gate in the associated dot plots.…”

“…Table S1 shows the 34 bacterial strains used in this study. This included 19 Lactobacillus strains selected for inclusivity detection, which cover all Lactobacillus strains mentioned in the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS)-recommended biological agents …”

“…This included 19 Lactobacillus strains selected for inclusivity detection, which cover all Lactobacillus strains mentioned in the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS)-recommended biological agents. 20 Lactobacilli rhamnosus GG was used as the target strain. Fifteen non-Lactobacillus strains were used to evaluate exclusivity.…”

Guidance for the assessment of detoxification processes in feed

“…The use of strains of microorganisms belonging to a species that qualifies for the QPS approach (EFSA, 2007 ; EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2023 ) and for which the qualifications were met, are considered safe for the animals, humans and, if relevant, for the environment and therefore no further data are required.…”

Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Ligilactobacillus salivarius IBB3154—in search of new promoters for vaccine construction

“…Many LAB (including species: Lactobacillus , Lactiplantibacillus , Ligilactobacillus , Lactococcus , and Leuconostoc ) have been granted Qualified Safety Presumption status by the European Food Safety Authority and GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This recognition is attributed to their extensive history of safe use in fermented foods and their presence in the normal intestinal and urogenital microbiota of both humans and animals ( 9 , 10 ). Furthermore, some LAB species are acknowledged as probiotics, organisms whose short-term presence or colonization positively influence many elements of the host’s physiology.…”