Food Standards Australia New Zealand today invited submissions on an Application to use quillaja extract as a food additive in a range of beverages to emulsify oil soluble substances.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said FSANZ had assessed the Application from Ingredion ANZ Pty Ltd to use quillaja extract as an emulsifier.
“Quillaja extract has a history of safe use in a number of countries where it is used to emulsify oil-soluble substances, which include flavours and colours, in various beverages.
“FSANZ has not identified any public health and safety concerns associated with the proposed addition of quillaja extract to the food categories requested.
“Submissions are invited from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community,” Mr McCutcheon said.
Quillaja extract is obtained by aqueous extraction of the bark, stems and branches of the Quillaja saponaria tree (soap bark tree) which is native to China and South America.
