Banning of natural food additives

4.2.2019

Question for written answer E-000640-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
John Procter (ECR)

The A.09 opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed published on 17 September 2018 threatens the future of natural ingredients which have been used for decades instead of artificial additives by food producers across Europe.

The opinion would render illegal the use of hundreds of foods that have technological functions when added to other foods, such as de-heated mustard powder, wheat flour, lemon juice powder or vinegar powder.

It also has the potential to have the unwanted effect of limiting, restricting or stopping the use of natural alternatives to artificial additives, which the EU should instead be encouraging.

1. Will the Commission clarify that the use of non-selective whole fruit and spice extracts is permitted in food production and communicate this information to competent authorities in the Member States?

2. Will the Commission confirm that food substances such as mustard powder, wheat flour, lemon juice powder or vinegar powder are not regarded as additives when added to other food, and that their use therefore sits outside current EU regulations on additives?

3. Will the Commission confirm that it does not seek to restrict or deter the use of natural ingredients in food?