2022年10月11日，欧盟食品安全局就一种β-半乳糖苷酶（β-galactosidase）的安全性评价发布意见。
据了解，这种食品酶是由转基因黑曲霉菌株TOL生产的，旨在用于乳清加工。
经过评估，专家小组认为，在预期的使用条件下，不能排除饮食暴露引起过敏反应的风险，但这种可能性被认为很低。根据所提供的数据，评估小组得出结论，这种食品酶在预期使用条件下不会引起安全问题。部分原文报道如下：
The food enzyme β-galactosidase (β-D-galactoside galactohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.23) is produced with the genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain TOL by DSM Food Specialties B.V. The genetic modifications did not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme was considered free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The food enzyme is intended to be used in whey processing. Dietary exposure to the food enzyme total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.197 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. The toxicity studies were carried out with an asparaginase from A. niger strain ASP. The Panel considered this food enzyme as a suitable substitute for the β-galactosidase to be used in the toxicological studies, because the genetic differences between the production strains are not expected to result in a different toxigenic potential and the raw materials and manufacturing processes of both food enzymes are comparable. Genotoxicity tests did not raise a safety concern. The systemic toxicity was assessed by means of a repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rats. The Panel identified a no observed adverse effect level of 1,038 mg TOS/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested. This results in a margin of exposure of at least 5,269. A search for similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and no match was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood for this to occur is considered low. based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.
