Press Release: Commissioner Kyprianou welcomes agreement on revision of food additives and sweeteners legislation

Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, welcomed the agreement at the Health Council on 2 June 2006 to amend two EU Directives on food additives and sweeteners. The proposed amendments included stricter requirements for nitrites and nitrates in meat, in line with a Court of Justice ruling and a European Food Safety Authority opinion on the levels of these substances which can be considered safe in meat. The proposal also allowed the use of seven new food additives and extended the permitted uses of certain other additives.