Jul 1, 2008
Citations
0
Influential Citations
16
Citations
Journal
EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority
Abstract
SUMMARY The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is asked to advise the Commission on substances used as flavouring substances or present in flavourings or present in other food ingredients with flavouring properties for which existing toxicological data indicate that restrictions of use or presence might be necessary to ensure safety of human health. In particular, EFSA is asked to advise the Commission on the implications for human health of the presence of d-camphor in the diet. Dietary exposure to camphor arises from the consumption of foods flavoured by using either herbs (e.g. basil, coriander, marjoram, rosemary, sage), their essential oils or the chemically defined flavouring substance d-camphor. Camphor is easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The major metabolic pathway is the oxidation to 5- and 3-hydroxycamphor, followed by conjugation and excretion. Camphor did not show mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium strains and did not induce chromosome aberrations in vitro with and without metabolic activation. There was no evidence of reproductive and developmental toxicity after oral administration to rats and rabbits.