Flavourings and food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods

The European Parliament voted, in second reading, a consolidated text which contains a number of amendments to the text of the common position. The text is the result of negotiations between the Council, the EP and the Commission. The amendments are mainly of technical nature and are generally in line with and strengthen the key principles of the initial proposal. Of particular note are the amendments which will exempt certain aspects of the legislation from applying when only herbs and spices have been added to food.

Other amendments concern the clarification of the interplay between the proposed Regulation on food additives and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed and also creating more legal certainty for producers and users of flavourings by extending the deadline for the adoption of the community list of flavouring substances. Other amendments strengthen the precautionary principle and further clarify the principle of not misleading the consumer.

Additionally a number of technical changes have been introduced as a result of the replacement of the spirit drink Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 by a new Regulation (EC) No 110/2008.

The Commission accepts all the amendments voted by the European Parliament and amends its proposal as set out above.