2,500 flavours placed on EU's approved list

31-Oct-2012 - Last updated on 15-Mar-2017 at 12:00 GMT

The EU has published its approved list of more than 2,500 flavourings for the food and drink sector.

The list, designed to regulate the use of flavouring agents in food manufacturing, comes into effect from April 2013 and will be updated annually.

It includes more than 2,100 authorised flavouring substances, with a further 400 flavouring agents that can remain on the market until the European Food Safety Authority evaluates and approves the products as part of its flavouring evaluation programme.

All flavouring products not on the list will be banned after an 18-month phasing out period.

Firms will be able to apply for new flavourings to be added to the list once they have gone through an application process.

The European Flavour Association (EFFA) welcomed the lists as a "milestone towards a harmonised EU framework for the safe use of flavourings".

It added, in a statement: "EFFA and its membership are fully prepared to comply with the new rules as set out in both regulations.

"The list includes all materials supported by the industry during the ongoing safety evaluation process."