Since 2003, the EFSA has played an important part in preparing this list by evaluating the safety of thousands of flavouring substances, publishing 170 scientific opinions to date. Currently, over 2,500 flavouring substances have been deemed fit for inclusion in the EU list which enters into force on 22 October 2012.
This significant programme of scientific work, which is still ongoing, has played and continues to play a critical role in ensuring that flavouring substances used in foods are of no safety concern for consumers.
Of the substances evaluated to date by EFSA within the ‘Flavouring Evaluation Programme’ some 2,800 were already on the market while around 200 are new.
This large number of substances needed to be evaluated under European legislation to ensure that they are safe when used as flavourings in foods.
The CEF Panel has asked for further data to allow it to complete the evaluation of over 400 substances included in the Programme. The new EU list, which will apply from 22 April 2013 and will be updated annually, contains deadlines for submission of these new data by industry.
Source: EFSA
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