Press Release: Commission proposes new legislation on food additives, flavourings and enzymes

The European Commission has adopted a package of legislative proposals which would introduce harmonised EU legislation on food enzymes for the first time and upgrade current rules for flavourings and additives. The texts aim to clarify and update current legislation in this area and to create a simplified common approval procedure for food additives, flavourings and enzymes, based on scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). For additives and flavourings, which are already covered by EU legislation, the proposals bring the rules into line with the latest scientific and technological developments and will improve the clarity of the legislation. With regard to food enzymes, the draft Regulation proposes replacing divergent national legislation with new, harmonised EU rules.