The application from the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia seeks to permit the use of fungal chitosan from Aspergillus niger for a fining and clarifying agent in the manufacture of wine, beer, cider, spirits and food grade ethanol.
The use of fungal chitosan as a processing aid for the above uses is technologically justified and raises no public health and safety concerns for consumers, said the agency.
Chitosan sourced from A. niger is permitted to treat wine in the EU and Argentina and has self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognised as safe) for use in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the US.
Deadline for submissions is 23 September.