Traditional food: Bambara seeds and seed flour
- Food safety
- Novel/traditional foods
- Food information
- Labelling
Summary
The EU has authorised the sale of a traditional food from Africa: Vigna subterranea seeds and seed flour.
EU authorises sale of seeds and seed flour of Vigna subterranea
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2047 of 29 July 2024 authorising the placing on the market of seeds and seed flour of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. as a traditional food from a third country and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470
Update
The EU has authorised the sale of a traditional food from Africa: Vigna subterranea seeds and seed flour.
Impacted Products
Bambara (Vigna subterranea) seeds and seed flour
What is changing?
The EU has accepted that a traditional food from Africa – seeds and seed flour of Bambara (Vigna subterranea) – is safe for consumption and may be placed on the EU market.
Foodstuffs containing this traditional food must be labelled with a warning for consumers with known allergies to peanuts and soybeans that the seeds and seed flour of V. subterranea may cause allergic reactions. When the seeds are sold uncooked, the label must state that they should be soaked and boiled before consumption.
Foods must be labelled “Bambara (Vigna subterranea) seeds/ nut/bean/ groundnut” or “Bambara (Vigna subterranea) seed/ nut/bean/ groundnut flour”.
Why?
Foods that are new to the EU market have to undergo evaluation and authorisation.
The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that this traditional food is safe under the proposed conditions of use (EFSA 2024).
For further information on how to bring novel foods to the EU market, see Novel foods explained.
Timeline
Bambara (V. subterranea) seeds and seed flour may be sold on the EU market from 19 August 2024.
Background
Seeds and seed flour of Bambara (Vigna subterranea), a legume, have been consumed for more than 25 years in Africa. The traditional food consists of de-shelled, whole, dried seeds of V. subterranea, or its flour obtained by heat treatment and milling of the seeds.
Resources
EFSA (2024) Technical Report on the notification of dried seeds and flour thereof of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. as a traditional food from a third country pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Supporting Publication, 21(1): EN-8571.
European Commission: Union list of novel foods
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 (Union list of novel foods)
Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2047 authorising the placing on the market of seeds and seed flour of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. as a traditional food from a third country
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EU authorises sale of seeds and seed flour of Vigna subterranea
Regulation
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2047 authorising the placing on the market of seeds and seed flour of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. as a traditional food from a third country
What is changing and why?
The European Commission has authorised the sale of dried seeds and flour of Bambara (Vigna subterranea), a traditional food from Africa, on the EU market. This follows a review of its safety by the European Food Safety Authority.
Foodstuffs containing this traditional food must be labelled with a warning for consumers with known allergies to peanuts and soybeans that the seeds and seed flour of V. subterranea may cause allergic reactions. When the seeds are sold uncooked, the label must state that they should be soaked and boiled before consumption.
Foods must be labelled “Bambara (Vigna subterranea) seeds/ nut/bean/ groundnut” or “Bambara (Vigna subterranea) seed/ nut/bean/ groundnut flour”.
Timeline
Seeds and seed flour of Bambara (Vigna subterranea) may be sold on the EU market from 19 August 2024.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.