The present consideration concerns 44 hydroxy-and alkoxy-substituted benzyl derivatives evaluated by JECFA (57 th meeting) and will be considered in relation to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluation of 35 benzyl alcohols, benzaldehydes, a related acetal, benzoic acids, and related esters evaluated in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 20 (FGE.20). The Panel concluded that the 44 substances in the JECFA flavouring group of hydroxy-and alkoxysubstituted benzyl derivatives are structurally related to the group of benzyl alcohols, benzaldehydes, a related acetal, benzoic acids, and related esters evaluated by EFSA in the FGE.20.Further two substances were evaluated by the JECFA in this group but are not in the Register (2-methoxybenzoic acid and ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal) and therefore not dealt with in this consideration.The Panel agrees with the application of the Procedure as performed by the JECFA for 43 of the 44 substances considered in this FGE. For butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate ] additional data would be required before it can be evaluated as a flavouring substance, using the Procedure.For eight substances 08.071, 08.076, 08.092, 09.145, 09.754, 09.807 and 16.075] the JECFA evaluation is only based on Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intake MSDI values derived from production figures from the USA. EU production figures are needed in order to finalise the evaluation of these substances.For all 44 substances use levels are needed to calculate the modified Theorical Added Maximum Daily Intake (mTAMDI) in order to identify those flavouring substances that need more refined exposure assessment and to finalise the evaluation.In order to determine whether the conclusion for the 44 JECFA evaluated substances can be applied to the materials of commerce, it is necessary to consider the available specifications:Adequate specifications are available for 40 of the 44 JECFA evaluated substances. For four substances 09.087, 09.751 and 09.763] further information on specifications are requested.Thus, for 12 substances 06.132, 08.071, 08.076, 08.092, 09.087, 09.145, 09.751, 09.754, 09.763, 09.807 and 16.075] the Panel has reservations (only USA production volumes available and/or missing data on specifications and/or isomerism/composition). For one of these 12 substances, butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate .754], the Panel concluded that additional data would be required before it can be evaluated as a flavouring substance using the Procedure. For the remaining 32 JECFA evaluated hydroxy-and alkoxy-substituted benzyl derivatives 02.165, 02.213, 04.094, 05.015, 05.016, 05.017, 05.018, 05.019, 05.047, 05.055, 05.056, 05.091, 08.040, 08.043, 08.112, 09.019, 09.035, 09.058, 09.220, 09.430, 09.706, 09.713, 09.714, 09.748, 09.749, 09.750, 09.752, 09.753, 09.796, 09.811 and 09.933] the Panel agrees with the JECFA conclusion "No safety concern at estimated levels of intake as flavouring substance" based on the MSDI approach.
KEYWORDSHydroxy-and alkoxy-substituted benzyl derivatives, JECFA 57 th meeting, FGE.20, butyl ...