FSA Sets Purity Criteria for New Food Additives

LONDONThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) published new draft regulations in England that will implement two European directives that set criteria for the purity of four new food additives and one sweetener recently permitted for use in the European Union. Similar regulations are being made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The new additives are E392 extracts of rosemary, E427 cassia gum, E961 neotame, E1203 polyvinyl alcohol, and E1521 polyethylene glycol.

The purity criteria legislation will ensure each additive meets specified compositional criteria for its manufacture and production. Minor amendments also have been made to the existing specifications to bring them in line with international safety standards and to take account of new technological developments.

The new regulations take effect in England on March 31, 2011, and implements two directivesDirective 2010/67/EU, which amends Directive 2008/84/EC laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colors and sweeteners; and Directive 2010/37/EU, which amends Directive 2008/60/EC laying down specific purity criteria on sweeteners.