FOOD IMPROVEMENT AGENTS PACKAGE Dr Stephen Johnson Food Standards Agency April 2007

Key aspects of the FIA proposals Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes, Common procedure Simplification Comitology Regulation = Directly applicable Uniform procedures, deadlines and clear requirements. EFSA.

Progress to date Within UK (public consultation, updates, RIA) Codecision In the Council In the European Parliament

EP progress Report/ Initial discussion Other Amend. Env. ctte vote Plenary Procedure YYY*N Additives YYY*N Flavourings YY*NN Enzymes YY*NN

Common Procedure Council Comitology (with scrutiny; efficiency) Time to bring forward a proposal – 9 mths with consultation Parliament Co-decision 9 mths for EFSA

Additives Council Misleading to consumers – new recital No change to defn. of processing aids Energy reduced food – 25%? Levels in food as marketed Information obligations on safety and usage

Additives Council (contd) other legitimate factors – includes the environment labelling (simpler; tankers) Transitional provision

Flavourings Council Nature identical goes Natural strawberry flavouring – 90%? Substances of concern risk based approach herbs and spices

Enzymes Council Defn of enzyme preparations Authorisation of enzymes

Additives European Parliament Co-decision Environmental factors Processing aids Allergenicity