Food Law News - EU - 1997
28 November 1997: ADDITIVES - Amendments to Directive 95/2 on Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners
MAFF Letter, 28 November 1997
Amendments to Directive 95/2 on Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners
The Council of Ministers reached political agreement at the Internal Market Council on 27 November to the text of a Common Position on amendments to the ‘miscellaneous’ additives Directive.
The letter highlights the following issues:
- Flour Treatment Agents: It has been accepted that the text should clearly indicate that enzymes being used as flour treatment agents are not being brought within the scope of Directive 95/2. This has been achieved through the addition to the new Article 1(1) of a sentence to this effect. Agreement has been reached on the implementation dates. The requirement to comply with all the new provisions will apply 24 months after the amending Directive comes into force. This will provide the time sought by the UK for the completion of the evaluation of chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
- Oils and Fats: A revised method of dealing with Annex I additives in oils and fats has been adopted in this text. Instead of trying, as previously, to deregulate oils and fats for cooking and frying purposes and thus to permit all Annex I additives, the text now instead makes specific provision in Annex II for the additional additives required in these particular products. The rather strange reference to oils for gravy has not been clarified!
- Sulphur dioxide in dehydrated apples and pears: Views on whether or not to permit higher levels of sulphur dioxide for certain dried apples and pears have remained divided. In view of the number of Member States who are either opposed to such a provision or were prepared to accept its deletion, the Presidency concluded that no such provision should be included in the final compromise text.
- Nisin in pasteurised liquid egg: Again, in view of the number of Member States who are either opposed to an entry for nisin in liquid eggs or were prepared to accept its deletion, the Presidency decided that it should not be included in the text.
- Thaumatin: The UK was successful in securing entries for the use of thaumatin as a flavour enhancer in soft drinks and desserts. These appear in the text.
When the necessary detailed examination has been carried out to ensure consistency across the various language versions, the text will be sent to the European Parliament for its second reading. This could take some months, after which the Council will need to consider any amendments which the Parliament might then put forward.
For previous related item, see 7 November 1997.
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