1.Regulation of food additives in the EU
The EU adopts an approval system for food additives, and only those additives that have passed the approval and are included in the list of food additives are allowed to enter the market. (EC) No 1331/2008 ‘General Approval Procedure for Food Additives, Food Enzymes and Food Flavourings’ stipulates the general approval procedure for food additives, enzymes and flavourings, and makes it clear that in case of applying for a new use for existing food additives as well as applying for the use of new food additives, the applicant should submit a formal application to the European Commission, and that all food additives permitted to be used have to undergo the EU All permitted food additives are subject to risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
2.Types of food additives in the EU
In the EU, food additives do not include nutrient fortification, flavourings for food, base substances in gum-based confectionery and processing aids, where food additives, flavourings and enzymes for food are collectively referred to as food improvers in the EU and are governed by separate regulations.
3.EU Food Additive Use
In the EU, food additives, flavourings for food, enzymes for food, food processing aids (hereinafter collectively referred to as food additives) are regulated by separate legislation, including framework regulations and stand-alone regulations. Depending on the type of food additives, different food additive regulations need to be selected to determine compliance with the use of food additives. The following substances are explicitly excluded from Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008: processing aids; plant protection substances; nutrients (e.g. vitamins, minerals); drinking water treatment substances;
Flavourings and food enzymes (regulated by other specific regulations). Annex II sets out the list of food additives approved in the EU, including the food categories in which each additive is permitted to be used, the maximum use level and the conditions of use.
Additives need to pass a safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and demonstrate their technical necessity (e.g. to extend shelf-life, improve taste, etc.) Additives must not mislead the consumer or mask food quality problems; they should be used in the minimum amount necessary to achieve the desired effect; and they must not pose a health risk to specific groups of people (e.g. children). regulated in accordance with the following principles Smoke flavourings should be used in accordance with (EC) No 2065/2003 ‘Smoke flavourings for use in food’. Nutrients added to food are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 on the Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Specific Ingredients to Food. There are no specific food regulations governing food processing aids (except for enzymes and extraction solvents) in the EU. Some EU Member States have developed their own national regulations governing food processing aids, e.g. A harmonised catalogue of enzymes for food use has not yet been developed and until the EU catalogue is published, the marketing, use of enzymes for food use in EU countries and food products produced with food enzymes continue to be regulated in EU Member States.2009/32/EC Member States Similar Acts on the Use of Extractive Solvents in the Manufacture of Foods and Food Ingredients regulates extractive solvents for use in the manufacture of foods and food ingredients.
4.Labelling of food products in the EU
(EU) No 1169/2011 balances consumer protection and market efficiency by standardising the content and format of labels, while adapting to scientific advances and societal needs (e.g. to reduce food waste) through dynamic revision. At its core, it promotes consumer trust through transparent information and maintains fair competition in the EU internal market through harmonised rules.