Food additives

The European Parliament voted, in second reading, a consolidated text which contains a number of amendments to the text of the common position. The text is the result of negotiations between the Council, the EP and the Commission. The amendments are mainly of technical nature and are generally in line with and strengthen the key principles of the initial proposal.

Of particular note are the amendments which will require labelling of the possible adverse effect on children's behaviour which has been associated with certain food colours.

Other amendments concern the clarification of the interplay between the proposed Regulation on food additives and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed and also clarifying that food additives which are produced using different production processes or with different starting materials require a new safety evaluation. Other amendments strengthen the precautionary principle and further clarify the principle of not misleading the consumer.

The Commission accepts all the amendments voted by the European Parliament and amends its proposal as set out above.