The EU Commission has published the Implementing Decision authorizing the placing on the market of dihydrocapsiate (DHC), a naturally occurring capsinoid derived from chili peppers, as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

“The entirely novel characteristics of DHC and the benefit of increasing energy expenditure safely will enable our customers in the EU food and beverage industry to innovate completely new and exciting applications for the consumer,” said Shoji Tsubuku, general manager of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Tokyo, Japan.

Dihydrocapsiate has held GRAS status from the U.S. FDA as a food ingredient since March 2009 but the EU approval is particularly important, as it will drive global expansion into a much wider range of food products throughout Europe.