Skip to main content
European Union flag
EU Agri-food Platform

Food improvement agents: Additives, enzymes and flavourings

Legislation

28 March 2025

Food improvement agents: Additives, enzymes and flavourings

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

EU emblem

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.

Content source
Webpage of Food improvement agents
Publishing org

Editorial team

Related Organisation(s)

European Commission - DG SANTE

Topics
Geographical descriptors

EU-27

Organisation Type

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:

Additives

Common Authorisation Procedure

Enzymes

Extraction solvents

Flavourings

Related regulations:

Comments (0)

See also

-

  • 35

Comment
0
  • Legislation
  • 27 Mar 2025

Directive on Consumer Protection Rules (Modernisation Directive)

The Modernisation Directive (EU) 2019/2161 , part of the European Commission's “New Deal for Consumers” initiative, aims to enhance EU consumer law enforcement and update...
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
-

  • 10

Comment
0
  • Legislation
  • 27 Mar 2025

Renewable Energy Directive

The EU Renewable Energy Directive aims to strengthen the EU's global leadership in renewable energy by increasing its share to 42.5% by 2030, with a...
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
-

  • 19

Comment
0
  • Legislation
  • 27 Mar 2025

Water Reuse Regulation

Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse lays down minimum requirements for water quality and monitoring and provisions on risk management, for the...
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
Did you find this useful? Please rate this page or, give us more feedback