Food additives other than colours and sweeteners: amending Annexes

The committee adopted the draft recommendation for second reading (under the codecision procedure) by Paul LANNOYE (Greens/EFA, B) amending the Council's common position. It reinstated the amendment at first reading calling for sodium alginate (E 401) - which was used to prevent pre-peeled carrots from turning white and going soft - to be excluded from the list of permitted food additives. The committee pointed out that consumers would be led to think the food was fresher than it really was and that sodium alginate could have a laxative effect.�