Food Law News - EU - 2012


FSA Letter, 3 April 2012

ADDITIVES - New EU restrictions on Sunset Yellow, Quinoline Yellow and Ponceau 4R in food

Further to the letter of 13 December (see 13 December 2011), I am now writing to let you know that European Commission Regulation 232/2012 amending Annex II of Regulation 1333/2008 was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 17 March. This Regulation introduces reductions in permitted levels of Sunset Yellow (E 110), Quinoline Yellow (E 104) and Ponceau 4R (E 124) in a number of food categories, including soft drinks, confectionery, sauces and seasonings. The Regulation includes a use level of 20 mg/l for Sunset Yellow in soft drinks. The currently permitted limits for these three colours are set out in Annex V Part 2 of Directive 94/36/EC.

Regulation 232/2012, which is directly applicable in Member States’ legislation, will apply from 1 June 2013.  Foods already placed on the market that comply with the provisions of the current legislation can continue to be marketed until stocks are exhausted.


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