The food additives controlled by means of specific statutory regulations in this country are colouring agents, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickening and gelling agents, antioxidants, solvents, mineral hydrocarbons and cyclamate. Broadly speaking the regulations established `permitted lists' of additives and, where appropriate, specify the conditions of use and the maximum permitted levels. Any additive, belonging to any of the aforementioned categories, other than one included in such `permitted lists', is automatically prohibited for use or sale in this country.
The regulations in question with the exception of mineral hydrocarbons, solvents and the sweetener, cyclamate, have the effect of implementing various EC Directives on food additives. Such directives are regularly reviewed and updated to take account of scientific evidence as to the safety in use of and technological need for such additives. On the basis of the results of these reviews, the following additives have been removed from the lists of permitted additives in this country.
Antioxidants:—Diacetyl 5, 6-L Ascorbic Acid (Ascorbylediacetate) (E303).
Colouring Agents: Fast Yellow AB (E105), Orchil or Orcein (E121), Solanthrene Blue RS or Anthragen Blue or Indanthrene Blue (E130), Black 7984 (E152), Burnt Umber (E181), Orange RN, Orange G, Violet 6B, Chocolate Brown FB.
Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents: Ghatti Gum.
In relation to this category of additives, I propose to introduce regulations soon which will ban the use of the following four substances in line with the provisions of EC Council Directive 86/102:—