Food products

Draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards specifications for mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) (Text with EEA relevance). Language(s): English. Number of pages: 6 + 4

The text revises the EU specifications of the authorised food additives mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) based on the recent scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The current specifications are adapted by reducing the maximum limits for toxic elements, by including maximum limits for the sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters (expressed as 3-MCPD), glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol) and erucic acid and by modifying the definition of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471).

In order to allow for a smooth transition, the text lays down that the use of the food additives mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471), lawfully placed on the market before the date of the entry into force of this Regulation is allowed during a transitional period of six months. Foods containing such food additives may continue to be placed on the market during the same transitional period and may remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or 'use-by-date'. However, in light of the vulnerability of infants and young children, the food additive mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) not complying with the maximum level for glycidyl fatty acid ester set out in this Regulation for use in foods for infants and young children should not allowed to be added to such foods after the date of entry into force of this Regulation and the marketing of those foods should be allowed only if they were lawfully placed on the market already before that date.

The food additive mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) legally placed on the market after the date of entry into force of this Regulation and complying with the reduced intermediate maximum level for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol) is allowed to be used until the exhaustion of stocks and foods, except food for infants and young children, containing such food additive should be allowed to be placed on the market and to remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or 'use-by-date'.