November 2011

Food Additives Database Users Guide

1.

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 IMPORTANT REMARK: ......................................................................................................................................... 1 DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................................................................ 1

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

INFORMATION IN OTHER LANGUAGES ............................................................................................ 2 LIST OF AUTHORISED ADDITIVES ...................................................................................................... 2 CONDITION OF USE OF AN AUTHORISED ADDITIVE. ................................................................... 2 LIST OF FOOD CATEGORIES................................................................................................................ 2 AUTHORISED ADDITIVES IN A FOOD (SUB)CATEGORY. ............................................................. 3 UPDATING OF THE FOOD ADDITIVES DATABASE......................................................................... 3 LEGISLATION ............................................................................................................................................ 3 DOCUMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 3

1. Introduction
This database can serve as a tool to inform about the food additives approved for use in food in the EU and their conditions of use. It is based on the Union list of food additives in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. The Union list was established after the transfer of the food additives permitted for use in foods under Directives 94/35/EC, 94/36/EC and 95/2/EC, in a new food categorisation system. Some additives and uses which are no longer needed are not entered in Annex II. Important remark: The provisions that have been transferred from the old directives in the Union list will apply as from 1 June 2013. In the mean time the authorisation of food additives according to the following provisions of the Directives 94/35/EC, 94/36/EC and 95/2/EC continue to apply: (a) Article 2(1), (2) and (4) of Directive 94/35/EC and the Annex thereto; (b) Article 2(1) to (6), (8), (9) and (10) of Directive 94/36/EC and Annexes I to V thereto; (c) Articles 2 and 4 of Directive Directive 95/2/EC and Annexes I to VI thereto. New additives or new conditions of use that have been introduced in the Union list can already apply now (e.g. authorisation of Steviol glycosides). Disclaimer This database is made available solely for the purpose of information. It has no legal value. The Commission declines all responsibility or liability whatsoever for errors or deficiencies in this database. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible with regard to the improper use of the document and its contents. The official authorisations of food additives are published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Legislation on the food additives is also available on the Europa Food Safety website:

November 2011 http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/fAEF/additives/index_en.htm

2. Information in other languages

The database is available in English. In order to find information in other EU languages click on "Documents" in the Food Additives top window. The following documents are available: - Complete list of the food (sub) categories available in all languages. - Complete list with the footnotes used (will be added at a later stage).

3. List of authorised additives

The list of authorised food additives can be found by clicking on "Additives" in the Food Additives top window. Individual additives can be found via the window search criteria by: - E number; - INS number (number according to the International Numbering System); - introducing the name or part of the name of the additives. Click search.

4. Condition of use of an authorised additive.

When an individual additive has been located, the conditions of use of that additive can be found by clicking on the additive. The following information will appear: - the food categories to which the additive may be added; - the conditions of use of that additive for a particular food category, the maximum level that may be added and if applicable restriction or exception to the use of the additive in that category; - when applicable, note(s) related to the particular maximum limit; - ML = quantum satis, this means that no maximum numerical level is specified and substances shall be used in accordance with good manufacturing practice, at a level not higher than is necessary to achieve the intended purpose and provided the consumer is not misled. In case an additive is authorised in a group (Group I, Group II, , E 200 203, ), this will be announced in a message window. By clicking on those groups in the "general data screen", (window above), additional authorisations via the group can be found.

5. List of Food Categories

The food categories are listed by clicking on "Categories" in the Food Additives top window. The main food categories are listed with the category number on the right of the list. Subcategories can be listed by clicking on the main category, and in case by further clicking on the subcategory listed. All subcategories can be listed by clicking on the "expand" button at the bottom of the list.

November 2011

6. Authorised additives in a food (sub)category.

The authorised additives in a food (sub)category are listed by clicking on the food (sub)categories in the Food Additives top window. The E-number/Group, the additives name and maximum limit with restrictions/exception are listed. ML = quantum satis, means that no maximum numerical level is specified and substances shall be used in accordance with good manufacturing practice, at a level not higher than is necessary to achieve the intended purpose and provided the consumer is not misled. When clicking on "" a window will appear with further conditions related to the use of the specific additive. (Maximum limits, restrictions/exceptions and footnotes) When additives are listed in groups, click on the group to find the list of additives belonging to that group. All additives belonging to the group are authorised under the conditions specified for that (sub)category.

7. Updating of the Food Additives database

The Food Additives database will be updated each time amendments to the list of authorised additives in food apply. This includes adding or removing a substance and changes in the conditions of use. It is possible that updates to the list have already been adopted and published which have not yet been included in the list because these updates do not yet apply.

8. Legislation
Related legislation of Food Additives can be found by clicking on "Legislation" in the Food Additives top window.

9. Documents
Other documents related to the food additives legislation can be found by clicking on "Documents" in the Food Additives top window. These include: - Complete list of the food (sub) categories available in all languages. - Complete list with the footnotes used (will be added at a later stage).