Scientific Opinion in relation to the use of monomethylsilanetriol to be added for nutritional purposes to food supplements in the light of new data provided

The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food provides a scientific opinion on the use of monomethylsilanetriol added for nutritional purposes to food supplements. The Panel was asked to evaluate to which extent newly submitted information addresses the uncertainties expressed in its opinion on “Monomethylsilanetriol added for nutritional purposes to food supplements” in 2009. The Panel noted that the newly submitted information relates to the bioavailability of silicon from, and to the toxicology of a source substance designated as monomethylsilanetriol orthohydroxybenzoate sodium salt (MSS). This substance differs from the substances evaluated by the Panel in 2009 since, unlike the substances evaluated previously, the commercial form of MSS consists of an aqueous solution of salicylic acid (orthohydroxybenzoic acid), monomethylsilanetriol and sodium chloride. In the light of the newly submitted information and given the fact that the presence of salicylic acid in MSS may influence the bioavailability of silicon from MSS, and the toxicity of MSS, the Panel concluded that the new data are insufficient to fill the data gaps on the bioavailability of silicon from monomethylsilanetriol and on the toxicity of monomethylsilanetriol, which were highlighted in the opinion of 2009. The Panel therefore concludes, that the newly submitted information does not adequately address the uncertainties expressed in the previous opinion and would not justify the re-evaluation of monomethylsilanetriol added for nutritional purposes in food supplements.