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International Standards for Adding Additives in Processed Food Items/Products.

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..... International Standards for Adding Additives in Processed Food Items/Products.
By: - YAGAY andSUN
Other Topics
Dated:- 21-2-2025
Food additives are substances added to processed foods for a variety of purposes, such as preservation, enhancement of flavour, texture improvement, and appearance. While the use of additives is essential for food manufacturing, international standards have been established to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. These standards are set by international organizations that regulate food safety and protect consumer health. The key international organizations responsible for setting these standards include: * Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): A joint body of the World Health Organization .....

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..... (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that provides global food standards. * European Union (EU): Provides detailed regulations and guidelines on the use of food additives in the EU. * United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates food additives in the U.S. and ensures their safety. * Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): While primarily an Indian regulatory body, FSSAI aligns with international standards for food safety and additives. 1. Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Standards The Codex Alimentarius provides globally recognized standards for food safety, including food additives. The Commission develops and harmonizes international food standards to protect consumer health and en .....

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..... sure fair practices in food trade. Codex Standards for Food Additives: * General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA): Codex's GSFA provides a comprehensive list of additives allowed in food, specifying: * The types of additives that can be used. * The maximum allowable levels of each additive in various food products. * Purity criteria for additives. * Specific uses and functions of each additive (e.g., preservatives, colorants, emulsifiers, etc.). * Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): Codex sets ADI for additives based on safety evaluations. The ADI represents the amount of a substance that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without posing a significant risk to health. The ADI is typically expressed in milligrams per kilogram of .....

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..... body weight. * General Principles for Food Additives: Codex establishes basic principles for the use of additives, ensuring that they are only used when necessary and under conditions that ensure food safety and consumer health. The principles include: * The additive must serve a technological purpose and be necessary for food production. * The additive should not mislead the consumer or cause deception in terms of food labeling. Codex Example Additive Lists: * Coloring Agents: Codex provides lists of permitted synthetic and natural color additives (e.g., Tartrazine, Beet Red), with specifications on their acceptable use in food products. * Preservatives: Examples include Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, with limits on thei .....

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..... r use in various food categories. * Flavoring Substances: Codex sets rules for flavorings such as Vanillin and Menthol, specifying the amounts and applications. 2. European Union (EU) Standards The European Union has stringent regulations concerning the use of food additives, codified in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on Food Additives. The EU ensures that food additives are safe and effective for consumers through a robust approval process, stringent labeling laws, and continuous monitoring. EU Regulations for Food Additives: * Authorization of Additives: New food additives must be authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before being used in food products. The additive must undergo thorough safety assessments, includin .....

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..... g toxicological studies, before approval. * E-Numbers: The EU assigns each food additive an E-number, which is a unique identification code. The E-number is used to identify additives and ensures that consumers are aware of the substances used in food products. For example, E300 refers to Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), while E621 refers to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). * Maximum Levels: The EU provides maximum allowable concentrations for food additives in various food products. For instance, the maximum permitted level of Sodium Benzoate in certain soft drinks is restricted to 150 mg/L. * Labeling Requirements: EU regulations require that food additives be labeled on food packaging. The label must list the E-number or the full name of the .....

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..... additive, along with its purpose (e.g., "Colorant", "Preservative", etc.). * Prohibited Additives: Certain additives are banned from use in the EU, such as Cyclamate (a sweetener) and Carmine (E120) in certain food categories due to health concerns. EU Example Additive Lists: * Sweeteners: The EU allows sweeteners like Aspartame (E951) and Stevia (E960) under strict conditions and labeling requirements. * Preservatives: Substances like Sulphur Dioxide (E220) are allowed in limited quantities in dried fruits but not in fresh produce. 3. United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Standards The FDA is responsible for regulating food additives in the United States. The Food Additives Amendment of 1958 established the legal framew .....

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..... ork for the FDA's role in ensuring that food additives are safe for consumption. FDA Regulations for Food Additives: * Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS): The FDA designates certain additives as GRAS if they are widely considered safe based on long-term use or scientific evidence. Examples include salt, sugar, and vinegar. * Approval Process for New Additives: New food additives must be approved through a rigorous process that includes scientific testing, such as toxicological studies and safety evaluations. The FDA reviews the safety data before an additive is allowed in the food supply. * Food Additive Listing: The FDA maintains an official list of food additives that are permitted for use in the U.S. Each additive is identifi .....

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..... ed by a unique name or Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, and its use is regulated based on its function (e.g., preservatives, colorants, flavor enhancers). * Maximum Use Levels: The FDA sets maximum allowable limits for additives to ensure consumer safety. These limits are based on studies regarding the additive's toxicity and safe consumption levels. * Labeling: Food products containing food additives must list the additive on the ingredient label. The label may include the common name of the additive, or in the case of food colorants, the FD&C number. 4. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) The FSSAI is the regulatory body that ensures food safety in India. FSSAI's regulations are aligned with internationa .....

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..... l standards, including those of Codex and the EU, and govern the permissible use of food additives in India. FSSAI Guidelines for Food Additives: * Permissible Additives List: FSSAI publishes a list of approved food additives and the categories in which they are allowed. These include preservatives, colorants, antioxidants, and emulsifiers. * ADI and Safety Limits: FSSAI provides ADI for various additives, ensuring that their consumption remains within safe limits for Indian consumers. * Labeling Regulations: Food manufacturers must label all additives used in processed foods in compliance with FSSAI standards. This includes listing the full name or E-number and its function. 5. World Health Organization (WHO) and FAO The WHO and F .....

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..... AO jointly manage the Codex Alimentarius Commission and also evaluate the safety of food additives through expert committees like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). * JECFA Evaluations: JECFA evaluates the safety of food additives and establishes ADI values, which are used worldwide to regulate the safe levels of additives in food products. * Global Harmonization: Both WHO and FAO encourage international harmonization of food safety standards, ensuring that food additives are safe globally. Conclusion International standards for the use of food additives are essential for protecting consumer health while ensuring the safe and effective use of additives in food processing. Organizations like Codex Alimentariu .....

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..... s, EFSA, the FDA, and FSSAI establish guidelines and regulations that govern the approval, maximum use levels, and safety assessments of additives. Additives are strictly controlled to ensure that they do not pose health risks to consumers, with permissible limits set based on scientific evidence and safety studies. Food manufacturers must adhere to these standards, ensuring that additives used in food products are not only safe but also transparently labeled for consumer information. This regulation helps maintain a balance between the need for additives in modern food processing and the protection of consumer health.
Scholarly articles for knowledge sharing by authors, experts, professionals .....

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