Report from the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) in relation to the use of a kaolinitic clay as a processing aid in the process for obtaining virgin olive oil

It has been requested the assessment of a dossier regarding the use of a kaolinitic clay, which main component is aluminium silicate, as a processing aid in the extraction process of virgin olive oil. Aluminium silicate or kaolin is authorized as a food additive (E 559) within the functional class of anticaking agents. Its Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is not specified and the use of the kaolinitic clay as a processing aid does not lead to technically avoidable residues. Once the application dossier of the kaolinitic clay (Koliva) as a processing aid in the process of obtaining virgin olive oil has been evaluated and from the information provided by the applicant and in the doses and conditions proposed, the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) concludes that the use of the kaolinitic clay as a processing aid for the purpose mentioned does not pose a risk for the consumers’ health.