EU Introduces New Regulations for Food Additives

Terms of Use for Tartaric Acid and Derivatives

EU Introduces New Regulations on Food Additives.

The European Commission has taken a comprehensive step to reformulate the conditions for the use of certain food additives, such as tartaric acid and its derivatives, in order to improve food safety. New standards are being set for these additives, mainly taking into account recent assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and calls for public consultation.

Classification of Tartaric Acid as a Food Additive;

Tartaric acid (L(+)-) (E 334), sodium tartarates (E 335), potassium tartarates (E 336), sodium potassium tartrate (E 337) and calcium tartrate (E 354) are food additives authorized for use under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. These additives, which are included in Group I in Annex II, Part C of the Regulation, are authorized for use in quantum satis.

The European Union has introduced new regulations for tartaric acid, which is generally considered to have 'no acceptable daily intake' or for which the most recent risk assessment concluded that 'a numerical acceptable daily intake is not needed'.

EFSA's Assessment

The regulated food additives are tartaric acid (L(+)-) (E 334), sodium tartarates (E 335), potassium tartarates (E 336), sodium potassium tartrate (E 337) and calcium tartrate (E 354). On March 11, 2020, EFSA published a scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of these additives. Thus, a new acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 240 mg/kg body weight per day was set for tartaric acid-tartrates.

New Regulations and Conditions of Use

On January 19, 2021, the European Commission launched a public call to collect data on the use of food additives and food business operators were asked to submit technical data on tartaric acid and its derivatives. The European Union has decided to introduce new regulations by collecting the opinions and technical data published by EFSA.

Compliance with International Standards

It decided to remove these additives from Group I and create a new group. These amendments will be regulated in line with the Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2022/2104.

A New Era in Food Safety

The amendments aim to increase food safety, protect consumer health, update the conditions of use of tartaric acid and its derivatives and ensure compliance with technical standards. Thus, the safe use of food additives will be guaranteed.

List of products whose limits have changed with the Regulation;

Unflavored fermented milk products that have been heat treated after fermentation
Dairy analogs, including beverage whiteners
Other fat and oil emulsions and liquid emulsions, including spreads
Canned or bottled fruits and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable preparations
Jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree
Other similar fruit or vegetable spreads
Other confectionery, including breath-freshening microsweets
Processed potato products
Gum
Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings
Fresh pasta, Precooked fresh pasta
Potato Gnocchi
Precooked or processed cereals
Bread and rolls
Light bakery products
Heat-treated meat products
Processed fish and fishery products, including molluscs and crustaceans
Table top sweeteners in powder form
Table-top sweeteners in tablets
Spices and seasonings
Mustard
Soups and broths
Sauces
Spreads based on salads and savory sandwiches
Protein products
Processed cereal-based foods and infant formulas for infants and young children
Flavored beverages
Aromatized wines
Aromatized wine-based drinks
Aromatized wine product cocktails
Snacks based on potatoes, cereals, flour or starch
Food supplements

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