login
login
Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 9242
Contents Publication in full By article 17 / 25
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/food

Commission proposes harmonisation and modernisation of legislation on enzymes, additives and flavourings

Brussels, 28/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission is proposing to harmonise the various national legislations on food enzymes and to improve Community legislation on food flavourings and additives, through a legislative package clarifying and updating current arrangements (directive 89/107/EEC for additives and directive 88/388/EEC for flavourings). A draft regulation would, for the first time, establish harmonised rules on evaluation, approval and control of enzymes used in food - used instead of chemical substances to improve the texture, appearance, nutritional value and flavour of food, and to help in certain food production processes. All food enzymes used for a technological purpose would be put on a positive list, established on the basis of the scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The proposal also includes requirements for the labelling of food enzymes other than those used as processing aids. Food enzymes with a technological function in the final food will have to be labelled as ingredients with their function (e.g. stabiliser) and name. The introduction of a single common procedure for approving food additives, flavourings and enzymes, based on a safety evaluation by EFSA, is the key element of the proposed legislation.

Contents

THE DAY IN POLITICS
GENERAL NEWS