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Food Additives Legislation

Food Additives Legislation

​In this section, you can find the legislation and guidelines for food additives, categorised as follows:

  • EU legislation

    Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (OJ L 354, p16, 31.12.2008) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives

    Amended by

    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 238/2010 of 22 March 2010 amending Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the labelling requirement for beverages with more than 1,2 % by volume of alcohol and containing certain food colours
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 (OJ L 295, p1, 12.11.2011) of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing a Union list of food additives
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1130/2011 (OJ L 295, p178, 12.11.2011)  of 11 November 2011 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives by establishing a Union list of food additives approved for use in food additives, food enzymes, food flavourings and nutrients
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1131/2011 (OJ L 295, p205, 12.11.2011) of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to steviol glycosides 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 232/2012 (OJ L 78, p1, 17.03.2012) of 16 March 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the conditions of use and the use levels for Quinoline Yellow (E 104), Sunset Yellow FCF/Orange Yellow S (E 110) and Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A (E 124)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 380/2012 (OJ L 119, p14, 04.05.2012) of 3 May 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the conditions of use and the use levels for aluminium-containing food additives
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 470/2012 (OJ L 144, p16, 05.06.2012) of 4 June 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polydextrose (E 1200) in beer
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 471/2012 (OJ L 144, p19, 05.06.2012) of 4 June 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of lysozyme (E 1105) in beer
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 472/2012 (OJ L 144, p22, 05.06.2012) of 4 June 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of glycerol esters of wood rosins (E 445) for printing on hard-coated confectionery products
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 570/2012 (OJ L 169, p43, 29.06.2012) of 28 June 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of benzoic acid — benzoates (E 210-213) in alcohol-free counterparts of wine
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 583/2012 (OJ L 173, p8, 03.07.2012) of 2 July 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polysorbates (E 432-436) in coconut milk
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 675/2012 (OJ L 196, p52, 24.07.2012) of the 23 July amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Talc (E 553b) and Carnauba wax (E 903) on unpeeled coloured boiled eggs and the use of Shellac (E 904) on unpeeled boiled eggs
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1049/2012 (OJ L 310, p41, 09.11.2012) of 8 November 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyglycitol syrup in several food categories
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1057/2012 (OJ L 313, p11, 13.11.2012) of 12 November 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of dimethyl polysiloxane (E 900) as an anti-foaming agent in food supplements
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1147/2012 (OJ L 333, p34, 05.12.2012) of 4 December 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of beeswax (E 901), carnauba wax (E 903), shellac (E 904) and microcrystalline wax (E 905) on certain fruits
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1148/2012 (OJ L 333, p37, 04.12.12) of 4 December 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sulphur dioxide — sulphites (E 220-228) and propane-1, 2-diol alginate (E 405) in fermented grape must-based drinks
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1149/2012 (OJ L 333, p40, 05.12.2012) of 4 December 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of extracts of rosemary (E 392) in fillings of stuffed dry pasta
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1166/2012 (OJ L 336, p75, 08.12.2012) of 7 December 2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of dimethyl dicarbonate (E 242) in certain alcoholic drinks
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 25/2013 (OJ L 13, p1, 17.01.2013) of 16 January 2013 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the food additive potassium diacetate
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 244/2013 (OJ L 77, p3, 20.03.13) of 19 March 2013 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Tricalcium phosphate (E 341 (iii)) in nutrient preparations intended for use in foods for infants and young children 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 256/2013 (OJ L 79, p24, 21.03.2013) of 20 March 2013 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Sodium ascorbate (E 301) in vitamin D preparations intended for use in foods for infants and young children
    • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 438/2013 (OJ L 129, p28, 14.05.2013) of 13 May 2013 amending and correcting Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of certain food additives
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 509/2013 (OJ L 150, p13, 04.06.2013) of 3 June 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of several additives in certain alcoholic beverages
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 510/2013 (OJ L 150, p17, 04.06.2013) of 3 June 2013 amending Annexes I, II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of iron oxides and hydroxides (E 172), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E 464) and polysorbates (E 432-436) for marking of certain fruits
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 723/2013 (OJ L 202, p8, 27.07.2013) of 26 July 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of extracts of rosemary (E 392) in certain low fat meat and fish products
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 738/2013 (OJ L 204, p32, 31.07.2013) of 30 July 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of certain additives in seaweed based fish roe analogues
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 739/2013 (OJ L 204, p35, 31.07.2013) of 30 July 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Stigmasterol-rich plant sterols as a stabiliser in ready-to-freeze alcoholic cocktails, and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards specifications for Stigmasterol-rich plant sterols food additive
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 816/2013 (OJ L 230, p1, 29.08.2013) of 28 August 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Neutral methacrylate copolymer and Anionic methacrylate copolymer in solid food supplements and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the specifications for Basic methacrylate copolymer (E 1205), Neutral methacrylate copolymer and Anionic methacrylate copolymer
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 817/2013 (OJ L 230, p7, 29.08.2013) of 28 August 2013 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards Octenyl succinic acid modified gum arabic
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 818/2013 (OJ L 230, p12, 29.08.2013) of 28 August 2013 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473) in flavourings for water based clear flavoured drinks 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 913/2013 (OJ L 252, p11, 24.09.2013) of 23 September 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sweeteners in certain fruit or vegetable spreads
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1068/2013 (OJ L 289, p58, 31.10.2013) of 30 October 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of diphosphates (E 450), triphosphates (E 451) and polyphosphates (E 452) in wet salted fish
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1069/2013 (OJ L 289, p61, 31.10.2013) of 30 October 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sodium phosphates (E 339) in natural casings for sausages 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1274/2013 (OJ L 328, p79, 07.12.2013) of 6 December 2013 amending and correcting Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards certain food additives
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 59/2014 (OJ L 21, p9, 24.01.2014)  of 23 January 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sulphur dioxide — sulphites (E 220-228) in aromatised wine-based products
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 264/2014 (OJ L 76, p22, 15.03.2014) of 14 March 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer in solid food supplements and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards its specifications
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 298/2014 (OJ L 89, p36, 25.03.2014) of 21 March 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate for use as raising agent and acidity regulator 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 505/2014 (OJ L 145, p32, 16.05.2014, p. 32) of 15 May 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of caramel colours (E 150a-d) in beer and malt beverages
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 506/2014 (OJ L 145, p35, 16.05.2014) of 15 May 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards Ethyl lauroyl arginate as a preservative in certain heat-treated meat products
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2014 (OJ L 166, p11, 05.06.2014) of 4 June 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the food categories of meat and the use of certain food additives in meat preparations
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 685/2014 (OJ L 182, p23, 21.06.2014) of 20 June 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer in solid food supplements 
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 923/2014 (OJ L 252, p11, 26.08.2014) of 25 August 2014 regards the use of aluminium lakes of riboflavins (E 101) and cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) in certain food categories and Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the specifications for riboflavins (E 101)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 957/2014 (OJ L 270, p1, 11.09.2014) of 10 September 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the removal of montan acid esters (E 912)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 969/2014 (OJ L 272, p8, 13.09.2014) of 12 September 2014 as regards the use of Calcium ascorbate (E 302) and Sodium alginate (E 401) in certain unprocessed fruit and vegetables
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1084/2014 (OJ L 298, p8, 16.10.2014)of 15 October 2014 as regards the use of diphosphates (E 450) as a raising agent and acidity regulator in prepared yeast based doughs
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1092/2014 (OJ L 299, p19, 17.10.2014) of 16 October 2014 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sweeteners in certain fruit or vegetable spreads
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 1093/2014 (OJ L 299, p22, 17.10.2014) of 16 October 2014 amending and correcting Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of certain colours in flavoured ripened cheese
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/537 (OJ L 88, p1, 01.04.2015) of 31 March 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of aluminium lakes of cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) in dietary foods for special medical purposes
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/538 (OJ L 88, p4, 01.04.2015) of 31 March 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of benzoic acid - benzoates (E 210-213) in cooked shrimps in brine
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/639 (OJ L 106, p16, 24/04/2015) of 23 April 2015 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of silicon dioxide (E 551) in polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer (E 1209)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/647 (OJ L 107, p1, 25.04.2015) of 24 April 2015 amending and correcting Annexes II and II to Regulation (EC) no 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of certain food additves
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/649 (OJ L 107, p17, 25.04.2015) of 24 April 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of L-leucine as a carrier for table-top sweeteners in tablets
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1362 (OJ L 210, p22, 07.08.2015)  of 6 August 2015 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of silicon dioxide (E 551) in extracts of rosemary (E 392)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1378 (OJ L 213, p1, 12.08.2015)  of 11 August 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of riboflavins (E 101) and carotenes (E 160a) in dried potato granules and flakes
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1725 (OJ L 252, p12, 29.09.2015)  of 28 September 2015 amending Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards specifications for Ethyl lauroyl arginate (E 243)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1739 (OJ L 253, p3, 30.09.2015)  of 28 September 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the use of the iron tartrate as an anti-caking agent in salt and its substitutes
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1832 (OJ L 266, p27, 13.10.2015)  of 12 October 2015 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Erythritol (E 968) as a flavour enhancer in energy-reduced or with no added sugars flavoured drinks
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/56 (OJ L 13, p46, 20.01.2016)  of 19 January 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of extracts of rosemary (E 392) in spreadable fats
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/263 (OJ L 50, p25, 26.02.2016) of 25 February 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the title of the food category 12.3 Vinegars
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/324 (OJ L 61, p1, 08.03.2016) of 7 March 2016 amending and correcting Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of certain food additives permitted in all categories of foods
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/441 (OJ L 78, p47, 24.03.2016) of 23 March 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Steviol glycosides (E 960) as a sweetener in mustard
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/479 (OJ L 87, p1, 02.04.2016)  of 1 April 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of steviol glycosides (E 960) as a sweetener in certain energy-reduced or with no added sugars beverages
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/683 (OJ L 117, p28, 03.05.2015) of 2 May 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of propionic acid — propionates (E 280-283) in tortillas
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/691 (OJ L 120, p4, 05.05.2016)  of 4 May 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of food additives in edible caseinates
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1776 (OJ L 272, p2, 07.10.2016) of 6 October 2016 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sucralose (E 955) as a flavour enhancer in chewing gum with added sugars or polyols
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/335 (OJ L 50, 28.2.2017, p. 15–17) of 27 February 2017 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of steviol glycosides (E 960) as a sweetener in certain energy-reduced confectionery products
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/839 (OJ L 125, 18.5.2017, p. 7–9) of 17 May 2017 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of nitrites (E 249-250) in ‘golonka peklowana’
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/871 (OJ L 134, 23.5.2017, p. 3–5) of 22 May 2017 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of phosphoric acid — phosphates — di — tri — and polyphosphates (E 338-452) in certain meat preparations
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/874 (OJ L 134, 23.5.2017, p. 18–20) of 22 May 2017 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of butane (E 943a), isobutane (E 943b) and propane (E 944) in colour preparations
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1270 (OJ L 184, 15.7.2017, p. 1–2) of 14 July 2017 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of potassium carbonate (E 501) on peeled, cut and shredded fruit and vegetables
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1271 (OJ L 184, 15.7.2017, p. 3–4)  of 14 July 2017 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of use of silicon dioxide (E 551) in potassium nitrate (E 252)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1399 (OJ L 199, 29.7.2017, p. 8–11) of 28 July 2017 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards potassium
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/74 (OJ L 13, 18.1.2018, p. 21–23) of 17 January 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338-452) in frozen vertical meat spits
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/97 (OJ L 17, 23.1.2018, p. 11–13) of 22 January 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sweeteners in fine bakery wares
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/98 (OJ L 17, 23.1.2018, p. 14–28) of 22 January 2018 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards calcium sorbate (E 203)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/677 (OJ L 114, 4.5.2018, p. 10–12) of 3 May 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Thaumatin (E 957) as a flavour enhancer in certain food categories
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/682 (OJ L 116, 7.5.2018, p. 5–7) of 4 May 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476) in emulsified sauces
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1461 (OJ L 245, 1.10.2018, p. 1–5) of 28 September 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the use of Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC) in food supplements
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1462 (OJ L 245, 1.10.2018, p. 6–8)  of 28 September 2018 amending the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards specifications for certain sorbitan esters (E 491 Sorbitan monostearate, E 492 Sorbitan tristearate and E 495 Sorbitan monopalmitate)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1472 (OJ L 247, 3.10.2018, p. 1–4) of 28 September 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines (E 120)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1481 (OJ L 251, 5.10.2018, p. 13–18) of 4 October 2018 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards octyl gallate (E 311) and dodecyl gallate (E 312)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1497 (OJ L 253, 9.10.2018, p. 36–44) of 8 October 2018 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards food category 17 and the use of food additives in food supplements 

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/800 (OJ L 132, 20.5.2019, p. 15–17) of 17 May 2019 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the extension of the use of carminic acid, carmine (E 120) in certain meat products traditional in French Overseas Territories.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/801 (OJ L 132, 20.5.2019, p. 18–20) of 17 May 2019 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) on certain fresh fruits.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/891 (OJ L 142, 29.5.2019, p. 54–56) of 28 May 2019 amending Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the functional class of ‘stabilisers’ and the use of ferrous lactate (E 585) on the mushroom Albatrellus ovinus as a food ingredient in Swedish liver pâtés.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1676 (OJ L 257, 8.10.2019, p. 11–12) of 7 October 2019 correcting certain language versions of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/268 (OJ L 56, 27.2.2020, p. 4–6) of 26 February 2020 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sorbic acid (E 200) in liquid colour preparations for the decorative colouring of egg shells.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/279 (OJ L 59, 28.2.2020, p. 6–8) of 27 February 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of soybean hemicellulose (E 426).

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/351 (OJ L 65, 4.3.2020, p. 1–3) of 28 February 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of citric acid (E 330) in cocoa and chocolate products.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/355 (OJ L 67, 5.3.2020, p. 28–30) of 26 February 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476) in liquid vegetable oil emulsions.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/356 (OJ L 67, 5.3.2020, p. 31–33) of 4 March 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polysorbates (E 432-436) in carbonated beverages.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/771 (OJ L 184, 12.6.2020, p. 25–42) of 11 June 2020 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the use of Annatto, Bixin, Norbixin (E 160b).

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1419 (OJ L 326, 8.10.2020, p. 11–13) of 7 October 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of ascorbic acid (E 300) and citric acid (E 330) on white vegetables intended for further processing.

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1819 (OJ L 406, 3.12.2020, p. 26–28) of 2 December 2020 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of colours in salmon substitutes

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1156 of 13 July 2021 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards steviol glycosides (E 960) and rebaudioside M produced via enzyme modification of steviol glycosides from Stevia

    • Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1175 of 16 July 2021 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyols in certain energy-reduced confectionery products 

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  • National legislation

    European Union (Food Additives) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 330 of 2015)

    Amended by:

    European Union (Food Additives) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 484 of 2016)
    European Union (Food Additives) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 413 of 2018)

    These Regulations give further effect to Regulation (EU) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 20008 on food additives, as amended. They also give further effect to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008, as amended. They provide for a number of very specific transitional measures.

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  • General requirements

    Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 lays down rules on food additives used in foods with a view to ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market whilst ensuring a high level of protection of human health and a high level of consumer protection, including the protection of consumer interests and fair practices in food trade, taking into account, where appropriate, the protection of the environment.

    The Regulation provides for:

    • EU lists of approved food additives (these are set out in the  Annexes to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008)
    • conditions of use of food additives in foods, including in food additives and in food enzymes as covered by Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 [on food enzymes], and in food flavourings as covered by Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods
    • rules on the labelling of food additives sold as such

    Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 prohibits the placing on the market of a food additive or any food in which such a food additive is present if the use of the food additive does not comply with the requirements set out in the Regulation.  Only food additives included in the European Community list may be placed on the market as such and used in foods under the conditions of use specified therein.

    Some food additives are permitted for specific uses for certain authorised oenological practices and processes. The use of such food additives should comply with Regulation and with the specific provisions laid down in the relevant EU legislation.

    A food additive which falls within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed should be authorised in accordance with that Regulation as well as under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

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  • EU food additive database and food categories guidance document

    The EU have made available a database which can be used as a tool to gain knowledge about the food additives approved for use in food in the EU and their conditions of use. It is based on the EU list of food additives in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. The database is made available solely for the purpose of information and has no legal value.

    It is the intention of the European Commission to update the database each time amendments to the list of authorised additives in food apply. This includes adding or removing a substance and changes in the conditions of use. This will mean that it will be possible that updates to the list have already been adopted and published which have not yet been included in the list because these updates do not yet apply. Access the database.

    The EU have published a guidance document describing the food categories in Part E of Annex II to Regulation 1333/2008/EC on food additives.

  • Carry-Over Principle

    The presence of a food additive is permitted:

    • in a compound food other than as referred to in Annex II, where the food additive is permitted in one of the ingredients of the compound food;
    • in a food to which a food additive, food enzyme or food flavouring has been added, where the food additive:
      • is permitted in the food additive, food enzyme or food flavouring in accordance with Regulation(EC) No 1333/2008; and
      • has been carried over to the food via the food additive, food enzyme or food flavouring; an
      • has no technological function in the final food
    • in a food which is to be used solely in the preparation of a compound food and provided that the compound food complies with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008
    • substances not consumed as food itself but used intentionally in the processing of foods, which only remain as residues in the final food and do not have a technological effect in the final product (processing aids), are not covered by this Regulation
  • Use of food additives in unprocessed foods

    Food additives must not be used in unprocessed foods, except where such use is specifically provided for in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

  • Use of food additives in foods for infants and young children

    Food additives must not be used in foods for infants and young children as referred to in Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 on foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses, including dietary foods for infants and young children for special medical purposes, except where specifically provided for in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

  • Use of colours for markings

    Only food colours listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 may be used for the purpose of health marking of fresh meat and other markings required on meat products, for the decorative colouring of eggshells and for the stamping of eggshells as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.