Food additives other than colours and sweeteners

Philippine seaweed exporters were dealt a blow today when the Consumer Protection Committee refused to accept their product in the same category as an existing seaweed gelling agent sold in the EU for use in desserts and meat. In a draft recommendation (codecision, second reading) prepared by Mrs Karin RIIS-JØRGENSEN , the committee decided not to put Processed Eucheuma Seaweed, which the Philippines wants to export to the Community, in a subcategory (E 407a) of the highly refined seaweed extract Carrageenan (E 407) but to give it its own category (E 408). The Committee maintains that Processed Eucheuma Seaweed is a less purified product which could cause health risks. Putting it in a similar category to Carrageenan, which is has an established market, could mislead consumers. �