Irish food and beverage firm Kerry has received a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority for Acrylerase, its novel amidase food enzyme designed to reduce acrylamide levels in instant coffee and coffee substitutes by up to 90% under relevant processing conditions.

According to Food Ingredients First, the EFSA assessment is the first for an amidase targeting acrylamide hydrolysis in coffee extracts and coffee substitutes, and provides manufacturers with a regulatory-backed tool to meet mitigation requirements under EU Regulation 2017/2158.

Acrylamide forms naturally during coffee roasting and extraction and has been identified by EFSA as a health concern linked to carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity and genotoxicity. Reducing it in coffee has historically been difficult due to limited raw material options, production technology restrictions and the complexity of modifying bean formulation at industrial scale.

Kerry says Acrylerase outperforms conventional mitigation strategies by directly decomposing acrylamide after it has formed, rather than indirectly reducing its formation through process modifications. The enzyme integrates into existing coffee processing workflows without affecting taste, aroma, yield or manufacturing efficiency.

Acrylerase is produced using a genetically modified Escherichia coli strain by Kerry subsidiary c-LEcta. EFSA confirmed the genetic modifications did not give rise to safety concerns.

"A positive EFSA opinion is a significant milestone for Acrylerase and manufacturers evaluating new ways to mitigate acrylamide," said Yasemin Koybasi, global regulatory director at Kerry. "It reflects the rigour of the EU food enzyme evaluation process and provides important reassurance on the safety of Acrylerase for its intended applications."

Kerry said the approval strengthens its position in food enzyme innovation and expands its portfolio of enzymatic technologies addressing food safety, product quality and regulatory compliance across multiple categories.

Read the full report for complete details on Kerry's Acrylerase approval and its implications for coffee manufacturers.