Brussels, 14/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Transparency, accuracy and caution. These are the EU's watchwords for the use of food additives. Two regulations adopted on Monday 14 November by the European Commission now complete European legislation that was already in place for ensuring food safety in the EU. These two regulations each establish a list of authorised additives for each category of food or food ingredient to which they are likely to be added and which will help facilitate implementation of Regulation EC No.1333/2008 on food additives adopted in December 2008 for harmonising the use of food additives in foodstuffs in the EU.
John Dalli, the European Commissioner for health and consumers said: “the adoption of these two regulations on additives will help to empower citizens and industry because it will be easier for everyone to know precisely what additives have been authorised in foodstuffs. In other words, this will help make citizens better informed and at the same time help the agri-food industry in the EU introduce new, innovative and safe products.”
The first regulation involves additives in foodstuffs and will enter into force in June 2013 so that the food industry will have enough time to make the necessary changes. The list of additives that it contains demonstrates that in certain foods (such as yoghurt, butter, stewed fruits, pasta, bread, honey, water and fruit juice containing no flavourings), the use of additives is limited or strictly forbidden. In processed products, however, such as cakes, snacks, sources and flavoured drinks, many different additives are allowed. This list can be consulted online at: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/sanco_foods/? sector=FAD). The second regulation involves additives in food ingredients (such as other additives, enzymes, flavourings and nutrients) and will be applied 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal.
This new legislation establishes a number of precise conditions in which an additive can be used in foodstuffs. It also provides a programme, which will be reassessed in 2020 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), concerning all authorised additives. Clear guidelines will be produced for those seeking authorisation to use additives in new applications. (AN/trans/fl)