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

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

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

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

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

6. 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

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

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

9. Enzymes Council Defn of enzyme preparations Authorisation of enzymes

10. Additives European Parliament Co-decision Environmental factors Processing aids Allergenicity