No 6: The Control of Flavourings in Food
Introduction
The use of flavourings in food in the UK is controlled by the Flavourings in Food Regulation 1992 (Statutory Instrument (SI) 1992 No. 1971 as amended by SI 1994 No. 1486). These regulations implement certain provisions contained in European Council Directive 88/388/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to flavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production (as amended) - (often referred to as the "Flavourings Framework Directive").
These regulations do not contain a positive listing of specific flavourings which are permitted in food. However, business and consumer sales of flavourings and foodstuffs containing flavourings do need to comply with the technical specifications and labelling criteria laid down in these regulations, as well as the general provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990.
European Community Regulation
The Flavourings Framework Directive envisaged the eventual full harmonisation of Member States' national controls on the use of various categories of flavourings in food by means of subordinate legislation. A European Parliament and Council Regulation Laying Down a Community Procedure for Flavouring Substances Used or Intended for Use in or on Foodstuffs came into force on 23 November 1996. This Regulation will lead to the establishment of a positive list of permitted chemically-defined flavouring substances, following a programme of evaluation by the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF).
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This page was last updated 21 April 1999
