Foodlaw-Reading Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Food Law News - UK - 2017

FSA Enforcement Letter (ENF/E/17/026), 23 March 2017

ADDITIVES - Use of colour E 155 (brown HT) on cooked chicken products

• Summary Update on food additives legislation in regard to the non-permitted use of the colour E 155 on cooked chicken
• Category: Food Standards Action required Officers are asked to request that FBOs who are adding E 155 to cooked chicken portions should reformulate their products as this is contrary to food additives legislation – Regulation 1333/2008

Issue

Update on food additives legislation in regard to the non-permitted use of the colour E 155 on cooked chicken portions.

Background

The alleged use of the food colour E 155 on cooked chicken portions has recently been drawn to the FSA’s attention.

The chicken portions would be considered as heat-treated meat products (food category 8.3.2 in Annex II of Regulation 1333/2008) in which the direct addition of E 155 is not permitted. The legislation is very clear on this issue and the Agency’s advice has been consistent whenever we have been questioned on this point. However it has been drawn to the Agency’s attention that some companies are still continuing to add E 155 to cooked chicken in breach of the legislation.

Action

Local Authorities will wish to note the above and we seek your help in reminding FBOs, during routine food standards inspections that E155 is not permitted and if necessary they should therefore reformulate their products.

We would not consider this breach of the legislation to be a public health issue.