The FVO has just begun a new project of audits covering official controls on the use of additives in food. EU requirements are specified in the Food Improvement Agents Package (FIAP). The first part of the project (FIAP 1) will concentrate, during 2015 and 2016, on the use of additives in meat and meat products. The project will subsequently be expanded to all foodstuffs. In the initial stages of the project, particular attention will be paid to the use of nitrites/nitrates, phosphates and smoke flavourings. So far, two audits have been completed and the reports of these will be published in due course (reports are usually published approximately 6 months after completion of the audit). In addition, an interim overview report will be published at the half-way stage of the project with a final overview report when FIAP 1 is complete. At this stage, it is too early to reach any overall conclusions but some common issues are emerging: • Official control of the use of additives is very complex due to the range of additives available and it is difficult to incorporate comprehensive additives control within routine hygiene checks. It may be that there is a need for competent authorities to supplement routine checks by deployment of expert, multi-disciplinary teams. • In most Member States, a number of competent authorities are involved in control of the food manufacturing, distribution and retail chain. Close co-operation and co-ordination between these authorities is vital.