FSA Issues Draft Regulations for Food Additives

The U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued draft regulations to
implement two European directives setting specific purity criteria for four
food additives and one sweetener. According to FSA, the new additives are
E392 extracts of rosemary, E427 cassia gum, E961 neotame, E1203 polyvinyl
alcohol, and E1521 polyethylene glycol. The draft regulations also amend
“existing specifications to bring them in line with international safety standards
and to take account of new technological developments.”

Effective March 31, 2011, the new rules will not “impose any additional costs
to manufacturers.” FSA will accept comments on the draft until February 11,
2011. See FSA Press Release, January 17, 2011.