Flavors Not Assessed by EFSA Might Still Be Allowed for Use, Says Expert

Although there are approximately 353 flavor ingredients on the European Union market that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has “deemed unable” to be assessed, those flavors might still be permitted for use in a final list of allowed substances, according to regulatory consultant EAS.

The Food Improvement Agent Package (FIAP) regulation, covering additives, flavors, and enzymes, requires that a list be established of flavors allowed for use in the EU. However, according to EAS in a press release, its food law manager Xavier Lavigne has said that, “the European Commission appears to have taken a pragmatic approach to the 353 flavors already on the market that have not been assessed by EFSA so far, or for which EFSA has requested additional scientific data.” He says that instead, the Commission and EU member states will decide on whether individual flavors are allowed for use on a case-by-case basis.

For some ingredients for which data has not been available “because of their low level of use and over-complexity of the dossiers,” the EU Commission may set new deadlines for providing additional scientific data before having EFSA assess them, Lavigne stated.