The Regulation establishes general EU rules on additives in foods and marketing of foods containing food additives, conditions of use and labelling requirements of food additives.

See Directive 2000/13/EC for labelling rules relevant to food additives

It does not apply to processing aids.

Date of application

The regulation applies since January 2010.

EU lists of approved food additives

Only food additives on the EU lists (Annex II and III) are authorised in foods under specific conditions of use if:

• Its use is safe,
• There is reasonable technological need for its use,
• Its use does not mislead consumers and has advantages and benefits for them.

There are specific conditions for the use of sweeteners and colours.

Authorised food additives have specifications e.g. purity criteria and origin.

Regulation EC 1333/2008

Commission procedure

The Commission will change the EU lists of food additives with regulations through regulatory procedure with scrutiny ( Decision 1999/468/EC ).

Producers must inform the Commission of new information which may affect the safety assessment of the food additive.