Banned emulsifier in soft drink

7.10.2015

Question for written answer E-013572-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL)

Brominated vegetable oil is banned as a food additive in Europe under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Article 4 stipulates that only the additives listed in Annexes II and III may be used. Brominated vegetable oil does not appear on these lists. Article 5 prohibits the use or marketing of an unauthorised additive or of products containing such an additive.

Despite this, last week in the Netherlands the soft drinks Mountain Dew Voltage and Mountain Dew Code Red were taken off the shelves in the supermarkets Jumbo and Albert Heijn because they contained this very banned emulsifier[1].

Can the Commission explain how this soft drink reached the European market at all?

1. What measures will the Commission take in relation to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority on account of this non-compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008?

2. What management measures will the Commission take to prevent this illegal import and to combat the marketing of products containing brominated vegetable oil?

3. Can the Commission indicate whether, under the TTIP Agreement, European citizens will be exposed more than hitherto to products containing banned substances?

• [1] http://www.foodwatch.org/nl/onze-campagnes/onderwerpen/energy-drinks/actuele-nieuwsberichten/verboden-emulgator-in-frisdranken-ah-en-jumbo