proE.info

Professional information on E-additives and Food Content

Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012

Category

General Legislation

Document type

Neutral

Country / organization

European Parliament and the Council of the European Union

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 establishes detailed specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Its purpose is to ensure that all additives used in the EU meet strict safety, purity, and quality standards. The Regulation consolidates and updates previous rules on food colours, sweeteners, and other additives, repealing older directives and harmonizing criteria across the Union.

The law requires that additives comply with specifications covering their origin, purity, methods of analysis, and limits for contaminants such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic, and other impurities. Many maximum levels for toxic elements are lowered, reflecting advances in manufacturing technology and scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Codex Alimentarius. At the same time, adjustments are made where stricter limits are technically unfeasible without affecting supply.

The Regulation introduces updated criteria for certain additives, corrects technical descriptions, and clarifies manufacturing practices. It also includes new or modified provisions for substances such as steviol glycosides, erythritol, guar gum, and phosphates, ensuring safety particularly in sensitive products like infant food.

Overall, the Regulation provides a uniform legal framework that protects consumers by ensuring additives used in food across the EU are safe, consistent, and traceable, while also offering industry clarity on compliance standards.

The full version of the document can be consulted in the official PDF file or through the original source link bellow.

Food additives mentioned in the document

E100 – CurcuminsE101(i) – Riboflavin, syntheticE101(ii) – Riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodiumE102 – TartrazineE104 – Quinoline yellowE110 – Sunset Yellow FCFE120 – CarminesE122 – Azorubine, CarmoisineE123 – AmaranthE124 – Ponceau 4R, Cochineal red AE127 – ErythrosineE129 – Allura Red ACE131 – Patent Blue VE132 – Indigotine (Indigo carmine)E133 – Brilliant Blue FCFE140(i) – ChlorophyllsE140(ii) – ChlorophyllinsE141(i) – Chlorophylls, copper complexesE141(ii) – Chlorophyllins, copper complexes, potassium and sodium saltsE142 – Green SE150a – Caramel I – plain caramelE150b – Caramel II - sulfite caramelE150c – Caramel III - ammonia caramelE150d – Caramel IV - sulfite ammonia caramelE153 – Vegetable carbonE155 – Brown HTE160a(i) – Carotenes, beta-, syntheticE160a(ii) – Carotenes, beta-, vegetableE160a(iii) – Carotenes, beta-, Blakeslea trisporaE160a(iv) – β-carotene- rich extract from Dunaliella salinaE160b – Annatto extractsE160b(i) – Annatto extracts, bixin-basedE160b(ii) – Annatto extracts, norbixin-basedE160b(iii) – Oil extracted annattoE160c – Paprika oleoresin and Paprika extractE160c(i) – Paprika oleoresinE160c(ii) – Paprika extractE160d – LycopenesE160d(i) – Lycopene, syntheticE160d(ii) – Lycopene, tomatoE160d(iii) – Lycopene , Blakeslea trisporaE160e – Carotenal, beta-apo-8’-E161b – LuteinsE161g – CanthaxanthinE162 – Beet redE163 – AnthocyaninsE170 – Calcium carbonatesE170(i) – Calcium carbonateE170(ii) – Calcium hydrogen carbonateE171 – Titanium dioxideE172 – Iron oxidesE172(i) – Iron oxide, blackE172(ii) – Iron oxide, redE172(iii) – Iron oxide, yellowE173 – Aluminium powderE174 – SilverE175 – Gold, metallicE180 – Lithol rubine BKE200 – Sorbic acid

Full document in PDF

Link to the source

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 (EUR-Lex)