Brussels, 24/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The authorisation of flavourings contained in foodstuffs is to be harmonised across the EU to clarify the rules on the use of these substances in the internal market. Member states' experts on the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health endorsed two Commission proposals on this on Tuesday 24 April.
The first of these proposals seeks to put in place a regulation establishing a list of flavouring substances permitted in the EU and which, therefore, can be legally added by the agri-food industry to foods. This list will be published in an online data-base that can easily be consulted by all stakeholders - consumers, the agri-food industry and national monitoring agencies. Any substance not on the list will be banned from use after a phasing-out period. The regulation will come into force six months after it has been adopted to allow time for the EU food industry to adapt to the new rules.
The second proposal for a regulation relates to transition measures for other flavouring substances, such as those made from non-food sources which will be evaluated with a view to authorisation at a later stage. This regulation will apply immediately after adoption.
The two proposals which received the backing of the EU experts will implement framework regulation 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods. (AN/transl.rt)