Additives
On this page:
The Role of Additives in Food
Additives are substances added during the processing of food, and in very small
quantities, to help maintain the quality of the finished product. Additives are
not a recent invention – for example, preservatives such as Saltpetre
have
been in use since the Middle Ages. Colours also have a long history of use.
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Regulatory Safeguards
The use of food additives is strictly regulated under European law. They must be
approved as safe by the European Food Safety Authority before they can be used
-
and the maximum amount which can be used is decided on the basis of the safety
evaluation. Consumers' intake of food additives is also closely monitored: A
European Commission report on 'Dietary Food Additive Intake' indicated that
consumption
of all types of additives was within the strict safety limits set by the
legislation. Particular attention was given to consumption by children.
Manufacturers
must also label the additives they use on their products.
An E number indicates that an additive has passed safety tests and has been
approved for use (by specific usage criteria) in the UK and the rest of the
European
Union.
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New Research on Additives
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the findings of its commissioned
research[1] into a mixture of five colours and one preservative in September 07. Based on
these findings FSA has amended its advice and is saying that 'parents of
children
showing signs of hyperactivity are being advised that eliminating certain
artificial food colours from their diets might have some beneficial effects on
their
behaviour'.
As the colours and preservative in the FSA study are legally permitted under EU
law FSA is referred the research to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
as
part of its ongoing review of all food additives.
EFSA published its opinion on the FSA study on 15 March 08. It stated:
'The
EFSA AFC Panel, with the help of experts in behaviour, child psychiatry,
allergy
and statistics, concluded that this study provided limited evidence that the
mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention
of
some
children. However, the effects observed were not consistent for the two
age
groups and for the two mixtures used in the study.
'Considering the overall weight of evidence and in view of the considerable
uncertainties, such as the lack of consistency and relative weakness of the
effect
and the absence of information on the clinical significance of the behavioural
changes observed, the Panel concluded that the findings of the McCann et al
study
could not be used as a basis for altering the ADI of the respective food
colours
or
sodium benzoate.'
Since the EFSA opinion has been published the UK FSA's Board met in April to
discuss what the UK government's position should be on these colours. The Board
agreed to advise UK Ministers that there should be voluntary action by
manufacturers
in the UK to remove these colours by 2009. In addition, there should be
action to
phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a
specified
period.
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Recognising Consumer Concerns
The UK industry has for a number of years been responding to consumers' demands
for fewer artificial additives in food and drinks. Our members have been
reducing
the use of the colours highlighted in the Southampton study. The overwhelming
majority of products don't contain these particular colours. However, there are
a
handful of popular food and drinks where reformulation has not been possible
for
technical reasons and we are concerned these will have to be taken off shop
shelves
in light of the FSA proposal.
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Still Concerned?
If you still have concerns about additives in food, read FSA's latest advice on additives and remember, additives must always be clearly marked on the
packaging. The
colours used in the FSA's research are: Sunset Yellow (E110); Tartrazine
(E102);
Quinoline Yellow (E104); Carmoisine (E122); Ponceau 4R (E124); Allura Red
(E129).
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Information on Specific Companies
The food and drink manufacturing industry is aware of consumer concerns about
certain additives, and with this in mind, companies are very careful about the
additives they use in their products. The industry will be studying the detail
of
the
research
and companies will clearly take account of the research findings
as
part of
their
ongoing review of product formulations. Many companies
responding
to
consumer
demand are already reducing or changing the additives
in
their
products,
and there
are many food and drink products on
supermarket
shelves
that contain
no artificial
colours.
Here's a snapshot of what some of our members are doing.
"Burton's Foods is committed to helping consumers make informed choices about
what they eat and continually reviews its recipes to ensure it provides the
ultimate taste, convenience and nutrition for all of its consumers.
"There are no artificial colourings, or any of the additives sited in the recent
Southampton University research, used in any of Burton's biscuits, including
none
in our number one children's brand – Jammie Dodgers.
"Nothing is added to a Burton's biscuit unless it is absolutely essential to the
taste or safety of a product and we constantly review our recipes in line with
latest research.
"Artificial preservatives are only retained where there is a sound technological
requirement and then incorporated at a minimum level and in accordance
with EU
legislation and guidelines. However we can confirm we do not use Sodium
Benzoate
the preservative in question in the Southhampton reports
in any of our
products.
"All Burton's products contain comprehensive nutritional information on every
pack. Consumers can also view nutritional information online at www.burtonsfoods.co.uk."
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"We are committed to replacing all artificial colours in our sweets. We note the
Southampton University findings, but we had begun this process already because
we
are continually listening to our consumers. This programme has been underway
for
over a year, starting with Bassett's Allsorts and Jelly Babies. On top, we
recently launched a new range of products, which is free of artificial colours,
under
the brand name of The Natural Confectionery Company. We will replace all
artificial colours in the rest of our sweets during 2008."
www.cadbury.co.uk/en/ctb2003/
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"We are aware of the recent publication from the University of Southampton on
selected artificial colours, and we will continue to follow the guidance of
regulators on this issue.
"The country's most popular soft drinks, Coke and diet Coke, have never
contained these colours, and recent launches such as Schweppes Straightcut
sparkling
drinks contain no artificial colours or flavours.
"We continually evolve our products across our range to meet the needs of
British consumers and we do recognise the changing tastes and interest in
product
ingredients, including additives. This is why we changed Fanta Orange earlier
this
year, removing the artificial colours it contained.
"All ingredients in our products are clearly labelled on pack and more
information can be found via www.coca-cola.co.uk or by calling the freephone Consumer Careline on 0800 227711."
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"Kraft Foods UK has no products aimed at children that contain the ingredients
highlighted in the FSA study.
"We continue to study information regarding ingredients and food additives, as
well as follow recommendations of regulatory agencies on this issue. Where
appropriate, we take these findings into consideration as part of our ongoing
review
of
product formulations and reformulation efforts.
"For example, with our recent Dairylea Lunchables reformulation in the UK, we
reduced fat and salt, as well as removed artificial colours and flavours.
Without
comprising quality, taste and food safety, we will continue to see where we can
make changes and still meet consumer expectations.
"Our products are clearly labelled. Consumers in the UK seeking further
information about our product ingredients can contact our consumer careline:
0800 783
7106."
www.krafthealthyliving.co.uk/
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"We know that artificial colours are of concern to consumers, which is why, in
2006, Mars began a programme to remove them from our products. The first focus
has
been our biggest-selling brands and in November 2007 Starburst Chews became
free
from all artificial colours. Packs now carry a logo to show there are 'no
artificial colours and flavours'.
"In December 2007, Skittles were made free from all the artificial colours
highlighted in a landmark study by Southampton University, commissioned by the
Food
Standards Agency. We have already removed four colours mentioned in the
Southampton
study from Peanut and Choco M&M's, and are in the process of removing the
final
one so they too will be free from these artificials during 2008.
"Our work to remove artificial colours is continuing and we are actively
reviewing the use of additives across our whole brand portfolio. If they are
used,
additives are clearly listed on the packs to inform consumers."
marsconsumercare.co.uk/
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"Nestlé UK does not manufacture children's products that contain any of the
additives investigated by the FSA research. In 2005, Nestlé Rowntree was one of
the
first major confectionery manufacturers to commit to using no artificial
colours
in
its sweet ranges, such as Fruit Pastilles, Jelly Tots, Frooty Tooties and
Fruit
Gums. Recent confectionery reformulations include: Smarties moving to a
new
'no
artificial colours' recipe in 2006; in June 2007, the level of real
fruit
juice in
Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles, Fruit Gums and Jelly Tots was
raised
to
25%; and from
September 2007, the UK's favourite kids' chocolate
brand -
Milky Bar
- is to be
made with all natural ingredients."
www.nestlé.co.uk
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"In recent years, we have been progressively removing artificial additives from
our products, where technically possible. This means the number of our products
in the UK, including children's ice creams, which contain the additives cited
in
the University of Southampton study is very small and, as already planned, we
will
have removed or substituted these for alternatives by the end of the year.
We
fully support a consumer's right to know what is in our products and will
continue
to be transparent in terms of ingredients and nutrition values of our
products."
www.unilever.com
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"McVitie's biscuits and KP snacks are free from artificial colours. United Biscuits ('UB'), a leading
European manufacturer of biscuits and snacks, has a continuous programme to
remove
artificial colours from its products. UB is pleased to confirm that for some
time
McVitie's biscuits and KP snacks* have been free from artificial colours." *Except KP Pork Scratchings where work is underway to remove the artificial
colour."
www.unitedbiscuits.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcACHS76SK99
More Information
(1) Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old
children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled
trial,
McCann et al, The Lancet, 6 September 2007
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Last reviewed: 16 May 2008