Council Press Release (7033/10), 8 March 2010

CONTACT MATERIALS / CLAIMS / LABELLING - Council discussions on food law matters under the regulatory procedure

The following is an extract from the minutes of the Council meeting (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs) of the 8 March 2010:

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption by the Commission of one decision and three regulations in the field of food law. This Council's decision concerns the following acts:

• Commission decision on the non-inclusion of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether in the EU list of additives which may be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs under directive 2002/72;
• Commission regulation on the authorisation and refusal of authorisation of certain health claims made on foods and referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health;
• Commission regulation refusing to authorise a health claim made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health;
• Commission regulation amending annex V to regulation 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the labelling requirement for beverages with more than 1.2% by volume of alcohol and containing certain food colours.

Under the regulatory procedure with scrutiny, the Council can oppose an act which exceeds the implementing powers of the Commission, is not compatible with the aim or content of the basic instrument or does not respect subsidiarity or proportionality if the regulatory committee previously supported the envisaged measures.