News
05.07.2013 -
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives has been in force since January 20, 2010, and has been applicable EU-wide since June 1, 2013.
Food additives are substances intentionally added to food to perform certain technological functions such as coloring, sweetening, or preserving food.
A food additive is only approved if it is safe for health and technically necessary, and no other options are available. Additionally, it must not be used misleadingly.
The new regulation is part of the so-called "Food Improvement Agent Package" (FIAP) consisting of the 4 regulations:
- Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 establishing a common authorization procedure
- Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 on food enzymes
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
- Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavorings and certain food ingredients with flavoring properties
The additives themselves are summarized in Annex II as a list of additives authorized in the Community and their conditions of use. The list includes, among other things, the designation of the food additive, its E number, and the foodstuffs to which the food additive may be added. Annex II was enacted by Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011. The specifications of the approved additives are established by Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
For labeling in the ingredient list, it remains the case that both the function of the additive in the finished food, through the so-called functional class (e.g., colorant, preservative, etc.), and the designation of the respective substance by the E number or name (e.g., E300 or ascorbic acid) must be provided.
Further aspects of the new regulation will also be covered at this year's BAV seminar on October 10, 2013, in Offenburg Link to the “BAV seminar”
Further information can also be found in our BAV Newsletter 02/2013.