Fully applicability of the new list of flavoring substances

Fully applicability of the new list of flavoring substances by implementing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 872/2012 of 1 October 2012 adopting the list of flavouring substances provided for by Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council, introducing it in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 and Commission Decision 1999/217/EC

The positive list of flavoring substances that may be used in the food industry, released last October 2012, comes into fully effect. This new list includes more than 2000 authorized flavoring substances which can be used in the food industry. Those that are not in the list are actually forbidden. Another 400 substances remain on the market until the EFSA completes its evaluation regarding their availability to be used or not.

This regulation, as well as Commission Regulation (EU) Nº 873/2012 of 1 October 2012 on transitional measures concerning the Union list of flavourings and source materials set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, both will help to increase the transparency and clarity of the information related to flavoring substances. The list, which is available in a database online, allows consumers, food industry and control authorities to easily identify foods authorized flavoring substances in foodstuffs. (link)

The list, which has been based on studies conducted over more than a decade by the European Food Safety Authority, completes Annex I of Regulation 1334/2008 Regulation (EC) Nº 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91, Regulations (EC) No 2232/96 and (EC) No 110/2008 and Directive 2000/13/EC and includes conditions of purity and identifying references. The main score is to ensure maximum food safety and transparency in this sector of the food industry.

In order to achieve a smooth transition to the new regulations, transitional measures have been planned. On this basis, foods containing flavourings and source materials which are lawfully placed on the market or labelled prior to 22 April 2018 but which do not comply with Parts B to F of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, may be marketed until their date of minimum durability or use-by-date.

After satisfying the transitional periods, the competent national authorities are obliged to remove any food that contains any unauthorized flavoring substance as well as to inform the Commission and the other Member States of the substance through the Rapid Alert System for Products Food and Animal Feed (RASFF).

Fully applicability of the new list of flavoring substances (based on an article by Richard Navarro)

Photo