Legislation
28 March 2025
Food improvement agents: Additives, enzymes and flavourings
Legislation
28 March 2025
1. Healthy, balanced and sustainable diets for all European consumers
2. Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste
3. A climate - neutral food chain in Europe by 2050
+4 more
Login / create an account to be able to react
-
74
The regulations on food improvement agents establish a harmonized framework for the authorisation and use of food additives, enzymes, and flavorings within the EU. These regulations are intended for food manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and consumers to ensure the safety and transparency of food products. They are implemented through a common authorization procedure overseen by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which assesses the safety of these substances before they are included on the EU list of authorized substances.
Editorial team
European Commission - DG SANTE
Topics
EU-27
EU Institutions
-
CoC aspirational objectives
-
-
1. Healthy, balanced and sustainable diets for all European consumers
-
2. Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste
-
3. A climate - neutral food chain in Europe by 2050
-
4. An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe
-
5. Sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
-
6. Sustainable value creation in the European food supply chain through partnership
-
7. Sustainable sourcing in food supply chains
-
Share
Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 introduces a harmonised, effective, fast and transparent authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings in the EU, aiming to facilitate the free movement of food while assuring consumer health. It does not apply to smoke flavourings.
The procedure is based on a risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), set up under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, (General Food Law) and leads to the updating of a Community (EU) list for each of the 3 categories of substance.
Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 introduces new rules on transparency and confidentiality in risk assessment.
Further information:
Common Authorisation Procedure
- EU Lists of Flavourings
- EU Rules - flavourings
- Information on the procedure for the renewal of existing authorisations for smoke flavourings
Related regulations:
Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings.
Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 on food enzymes.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives.
Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 on the transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain.
Comments (0)
See also
Plant Protection Products Regulation
- Categories
- 2. Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste 3. A climate - neutral food chain in Europe by 2050 4. An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe +3 more
Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas
- Categories
- 2. Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste 3. A climate - neutral food chain in Europe by 2050 4. An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe +3 more
Protection against subsidised imports
- Categories
- 2. Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste 3. A climate - neutral food chain in Europe by 2050 4. An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe +3 more