Food additives, other than colours and sweeteners

Classification of substances often results in some unsatisfactory results, and food additives are no exception. In the evaluation of food additives, functional use is a helpful way of categorising additives. Functional use and level of incorporation are important considerations in assessing the likely intake by consumers. Use and intake level are clearly linked, as the functional effect depends on the amount added. The level of use may be self-limiting by organoleptic considerations. However, whilst it is logical to have functional use as a classification, many additives have more than one functional use, and some could be described as having multiple uses. International documentation differs in its treatment of functional uses. The European Council legislation has three broad classifications  

In the latter Directive, except for antioxidants and preservatives, individual uses are not listed in either the basic Directive or in the Directives on purity criteria (specifications). In the EU, the functional use of the main additives permitted for use in processed foods are described in Directive 89/107/EC. There are 23 listed which are shown in Table 11.1. In this chapter we are concerned with 17 categories listed in the Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (these are indicated by an asterisk in Table 11.1). 

Acid Substance which increases the acidity of a foodstuff and/or imparts a sour taste to it 

Acidity regulator Substance which alters or controls the acidity or alkalinity of a foodstuff 

Anti-caking agent Substance which reduces the tendency of individual particles of a foodstuff to adhere to one another 

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Food additives other than colours and sweeteners... 

Commission Directive 96/77/EC of 2 December 1996 laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colours and sweeteners Official Journal of the European Communities (L339) of 30 December 1996, pp. 1-69), as amended by Directives 98/86/EC of 11 November... 

The EU Directives 94/35/EC, 94/36/EC and 95/2/EC on sweeteners, colours and food additives other than colours and sweeteners, limit the amounts of certain food additives that can be used and the range of foods in which they are permitted. Similarly, the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) has published its General Standard on Food Additives (GSFA), which lists the maximum use levels recorded world-wide. Care should be taken when using data from the EU Directive annexes or the GSFA because the figures represent the maximum permitted in each food group. In practice, use levels may need to be much lower to achieve the desired technical effect, particularly if used in combination with other additives intended for the same purpose. Furthermore, the additive is unlikely to be used in all foods in which it is permitted because other additives compete for the same function in the marketplace. 

EU regulation of antioxidants is stipulated by European Parliament and Council Directive No. 95/2/EC of 20 February 1995 on food additives other than colours and sweeteners.7... 

Directive 2003/114/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 2003 amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners. Official Journal of the European Communities no L 24, 29 Jamiary 2004... 

EC Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners for use in Foodstuffs... 

Anonymous. (2004b). European Parliament and council directive No 95/2/EC of February 1995. Consolidated text. On food additives other than colours and sweeteners CONSLEG system of the office for official publications of the European Communities. 

The text of the common position on Miscellaneous Additives formally adopted by the Council of the European Union on 10 March 1994 refers to the proposed directive on food additives other than colours and sweeteners. 

European Parhament and Council Directive 95/2/EC of 20 Eebmary 1995 on food additives other than colouring and sweeteners (http //eiiropa-eii.int/eiir-lex/lex/l e xUriServ/l, exUriServ.do iiri= CEl EX 319951.0002 EN HTM1.)... 

European Directive 95/2/EC. 1995. On food additives other than colours and sweeteners, February 20,1995. http //eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do uri=CONSL EG 1995L0002 20060815 EN PDF... 

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