Kalsec Clarifies the EU Rosemary Ruling

KALAMAZOO, Mich.New European Union regulations (Directive 2010/67/EU and 2010/69/EU), which came into effect in April, have raised concerns about how some deodorized rosemary extracts may be utilized and labeled in some foods as a food additive of the antioxidant class.

Based on these criteria, rosemary extracts containing carnosic acid and carnosol (two of the active antioxidant components found in rosemary) must be produced by one of four precise extraction methods and must meet purity criteria which include specified and limited flavor content. Rosemary extracts produced by Kalsec® for flavoring purposes are classified as natural flavoring preparations under EU Regulation 1334/2008.

 In many cases, the addition of rosemary flavor is essential to the character and authenticity of the food

or product and is a matter for the food manufacturer to determine," said Paul Filby, vice president International Business. The desired flavor impact may vary from a soft and subtle note to a bold impactful flavor."

There is no intention with the new legislation to remove rosemary as a flavoring material from the European diet. Rosemary extracts, as well as herb and spice extracts such as sage, marjoram, oregano and thyme, can still be used as flavorings.