Novel foods: dehusked Digitaria exilis grains

Question for written answer  E-001442/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marco Dreosto (ID)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2016 authorises the placing on the market of decorticated grains of Digitaria exilis as a traditional food from a third country.

As far as its use is concerned, the technical report approved by EFSA on 26 June 2018 states that fonio (as it is otherwise known) is intended to be consumed as a meal in itself (e.g. couscous) or as a food ingredient (flour) in bread, snacks or biscuits.

The regulation does not specify any conditions under which the novel food may be used. Additional labelling requirements stipulate that the name on the label of products containing it must be ‘decorticated fonio (Digitaria exilis) grains’.

In view of this:

• 1.Does the Commission consider it permissible to market fonio grain flour and grain on the basis of that authorisation?
• 2.Is the use of the term ‘decorticated fonio (Digitaria exilis) grains’ mandatory only when the product is used as an ingredient or also when the grain is sold as it stands, or ground?
• 3.Is it possible to place on the market a product called ‘fonio grains’, ‘fonio grain’ or ‘fonio flour’, or does the sales designation ‘decorticated fonio (Digitaria exilis) grains’ or ‘decorticated fonio grain ( Digitaria exilis) flour’ have to be used?