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Food Additives Permitted to be used in food.
 

Chemical Name

Code

Rows marked a tan colour indicates possible Health Risk     View

 

Curcumin or Turmeric (colour)

100

Riboflavin or Riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodium (colour)

101

Tartrazine (colour)

102

Alkanet or Alkannin (colour)

103

Quinoline yellow (colour)

104

Sunset yellow FCF (colour)

110

Carmines or Carminic acid or Cochineal (colour)

120

Azorubine or Carmoisine (colour)

122

Amaranth (colour)

123

Ponceau 4R (colour)

124

Erythrosine (colour)

127

Allura red AC (colour)

129

Indigotine (colour)

132

Brilliant blue FCF (colour)

133

Chlorophyll (colour)

140

Chlorophyll-copper complex (colour)

141

Green S (colour)

142

Fast green FCF (colour)

143

Caramel I (colour)

150a

Caramel II (colour)

150b

Caramel III (colour)

150c

Caramel IV (colour)

150d

Brilliant black BN or Brilliant black PN (colour)

151

Carbon black or vegetable carbon (colour)

153

Brown HT (colour)

155

Carotene (colour)

160a

Annatto extracts (colour)

160b

Paprika oleoresins (colour)

160c

Lycopene (colour)

160d

b-apo-8' Carotenal (colour)

160e

b-apo-8' Carotenoic acid or methyl ethyl ester (colour)

160f

Flavoxanthin (colour)

161a

Lutein (colour)

161b

Kryptoxanthin (colour)

161c

Rubixanthin (colour)

161d

Violoxanthin (colour)

161e

Rhodoxanthin (colour)

161f

Beet red (colour)

162

Anthocyanins or Grape skin extract or Blackcurrant extract (colour)

163

Saffron or Crocetin or Crocin (colour)

164

Calcium carbonate (colour, anti-caking agent)

170

Titanium dioxide (colour)

171

Iron oxide (colour)

172

Aluminium (colour)

173

Silver (colour)

174

Gold (colour)

175

Tannic acid or tannins (colour, emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener)

181

Sorbic acid (preservative)

200

Sodium sorbate (preservative)

201

Potassium sorbate (preservative)

202

Calcium sorbate (preservative)

203

Benzoic acid (preservative)

210

Sodium benzoate (preservative)

211

Potassium benzoate (preservative)

212

Calcium benzoate (preservative)

213

Propylparaben or Propyl-p-hydroxy-benzoate (preservative)

216

Methylparaben or Methyl-p-hydroxy-benzoate (preservative)

218

Sulphur dioxide (preservative)

220

Sodium sulphite (preservative)

221

Sodium bisulphite (preservative)

222

Sodium metabisulphite (preservative)

223

Potassium metabisulphite (preservative)

224

Potassium sulphite (preservative)

225

Potassium bisulphite (preservative)

228

Nisin (preservative)

234

Natamycin or Pimaricin (preservative)

235

Dimethyl dicarbonate (preservative)

242

Potassium nitrite (preservative, colour fixative)

249

Sodium nitrite (preservative, colour fixative)

250

Sodium nitrate (preservative, colour fixative)

251

Potassium nitrate (preservative, colour fixative)

252

Acetic acid, glacial (acidity regulator)

260

Potassium acetate or Potassium diacetate (acidity regulator)

261

Sodium acetates (acidity regulator)

262

Calcium acetate (acidity regulator)

263

Ammonium acetate (acidity regulator)

264

Lactic acid (acidity regulator)

270

Propionic acid (preservative)

280

Sodium propionate (preservative)

281

Calcium propionate (preservative)

282

Potassium propionate (preservative)

283

Carbon dioxide (propellant)

290

Malic acid (acidity regulator)

296

Fumaric acid (acidity regulator)

297

Ascorbic acid (antioxidant)

300

Sodium ascorbate (antioxidant)

301

Calcium ascorbate (antioxidant)

302

Potassium ascorbate (antioxidant)

303

Ascorbyl palmitate (antioxidant)

304

Tocopherols concentrate, mixed (antioxidant)

306

a-Tocopherol (antioxidant)

307

g-Tocopherol (antioxidant)

308

d-Tocopherol (antioxidant)

309

Propyl gallate (antioxidant)

310

Octyl gallate (antioxidant)

311

Dodecyl gallate (antioxidant)

312

Erythorbic acid (antioxidant)

315

Sodium erythorbate (antioxidant)

316

tert-Butylhydroquinone (antioxidant)

319

Butylated hydroxyanisole (antioxidant)

320

Butylated hydroxytoluene (antioxidant)

321

Lecithin (antioxidant, emulsifier)

322

Sodium lactate (acidity regulator, humectant, bulking agent)

325

Potassium lactate (acidity regulator, humectant, bulking agent)

326

Calcium lactate (acidity regulator)

327

Ammonium lactate (acidity regulator)

328

Magnesium lactate (acidity regulator)

329

Citric acid (acidity regulator, antioxidant)

330

Sodium citrates (acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabiliser)

331

Potassium citrates (acidity regulator, stabiliser)

332

Calcium citrates (acidity regulator, stabiliser)

333

Tartaric acid (acidity regulator, antioxidant)

334

Sodium tartrates (acidity regulator)

335

Potassium tartrate or Potassium acid tartrate (acidity regulator, stabiliser)

336

Potassium sodium tartrate (acidity regulator, stabiliser)

337

Phosphoric acid (acidity regulator)

338

Sodium phosphates (acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabiliser)

339

Potassium phosphates (acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabiliser)

340

Calcium phosphates (acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent)

341

Ammonium phosphates (acidity regulator)

342

Magnesium phosphates (acidity regulator, anti-caking agent)

343

Ammonium malate (acidity regulator)

349

Sodium malates (acidity regulator, humectant)

350

Potassium malates (acidity regulator)

351

Calcium malates (acidity regulator)

352

Metatartaric acid (acidity regulator)

353

Calcium tartrate (acidity regulator)

354

Adipic acid (acidity regulator)

355

Potassium adipate (acidity regulator)

357

Ammonium adipates (acidity regulator)

359

Succinic acid (acidity regulator)

363

Sodium fumarate (acidity regulator)

365

Potassium fumarate (acidity regulator)

366

Calcium fumarate (acidity regulator)

367

Ammonium fumarate (acidity regulator)

368

Ammonium citrate or triammonium citrate (acidity regulator)

380

Ferric ammonium citrate (acidity regulator, anti-caking agent)

381

Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate or calcium disodium EDTA (preservative, antioxidant)

385

Alginic acid (thickener, stabiliser)

400

Sodium alginate (thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent)

401

Potassium alginate (thickener, stabiliser)

402

Ammonium alginate (thickener, stabiliser)

403

Calcium alginate (thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent)

404

Propylene glycol alginate (thickener, emulsifier)

405

Agar (thickener, gelling agent, stabiliser)

406

Carrageenan (thickener, gelling agent, stabiliser)

407

Processed eucheuma seaweed (thickener, gelling agent, stabiliser)

407a

Arabinogalactan or Larch gum (thickener, gelling agent, stabiliser)

409

Locust bean gum or Carob bean gum (thickener, stabiliser)

410

Guar gum (thickener, stabiliser)

412

Tragacanth gum (thickener, stabiliser)

413

Acacia or gum Arabic (thickener, stabiliser)

414

Xanthan gum (thickener, stabiliser)

415

Karaya gum (thickener, stabiliser)

416

Gellan gum (thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent)

418

Sorbitol or sorbitol syrup (sweetener, humectant, emulsifier)

420

Mannitol (sweetener, humectant)

421

Glycerin or glycerol (humectant)

422

Polyethylene (40) stearate (emulsifier)

431

Polysorbate 80 or Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan moonoleate (emulsifier)

433

Polysorbate 60 or Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (emulsifier)

435

Polysorbate 65 or Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate (emulsifier)

436

Pectins (thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent)

440

Ammonium salts of phosphatidic acid (emulsifier)

442

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (emulsifier, stabiliser)

444

Glycerol esters of wood rosins (emulsifier, stabiliser)

445

Potassium pyrophosphate or Sodium acid pyrophosphate or Sodium pyrophosphate (emulsifiers, acidity regulators, stabilisers)

450

Potassium tripolyphosphate or Sodium tripolyphosphate (acidity regulator)

451

Potassium polymetaphosphate or Sodium metaphosphate, insoluble or Sodium polyphosphates, glassy (emulsifier, stabiliser)

452

Cellulose microcrystalline and powdered (anti-caking agent)

460

Methyl cellulose (thickener, stabiliser, emulsifier)

461

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (thickener, stabiliser, emulsifier)

463

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (thickener, stabiliser, emulsifier)

464

Methyl ethyl cellulose (thickener, stabiliser, emulsifier, foaming agent)

465

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (thickener, stabiliser)

466

Aluminium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and ammonium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent)

470

Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (emulsifier, stabiliser)

471

Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol (emulsifier, stabiliser)

472a

Lactic and fatty acid esters of glycerol (emulsifier, stabiliser)

472b

Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol (emulsifier, stabiliser)

472c

Diacetyltartaric and fatty acid esters of glycerol (emulsifier)

472e

Mixed tartaric, acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol (emulsifier, stabiliser)

472f

Sucrose esters of fatty acids (emulsifier)

473

Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (emulsifier)

475

Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid (emulsifier)

476

Propylene glycol mono- and di-esters or Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids (emulsifier)

477

Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (emulsifier)

480

Sodium lactylate or sodium oleyl lactylate or sodium stearoyl lactylate (emulsifier, stabiliser)

481

Calcium lactylate or Calcium oleyl lactylate or Calcium stearoyl lactylate (emulsifier, stabiliser)

482

Sorbitan monostearate (emulsifier)

491

Sorbitan tristearate (emulsifier)

492

Sodium carbonate or Sodium bicarbonate (acidity regulator, raising agent, anti-caking agent)

500

Potassium carbonates (acidity regulator, stabiliser)

501

Ammonium bicarbonate or Ammonium hydrogen carbonate (acidity regulator, raising agent)

503

Magnesium carbonate (acidity regulator, anti-caking agent)

504

Hydrochloric acid (acidity regulator)

507

Potassium chloride (gelling agent)

508

Calcium chloride (firming agent)

509

Ammonium chloride (bulking agent)

510

Magnesium chloride (firming agent)

511

Stannous chloride (antioxidant)

512

Sodium sulphate (acidity regulator)

514

Potassium sulphate (acidity regulator)

515

Calcium sulphate (firming agent)

516

Magnesium sulphate (firming agent)

518

Cupric sulphate (mineral salt)

519

Calcium hydroxide (acidity regulator, firming agent)

526

Calcium oxide (acidity regulator)

529

Magnesium oxide (anti-caking agent)

530

Sodium ferrocyanide (anti-caking agent)

535

Potassium ferrocyanide (anti-caking agent)

536

Sodium aluminium phosphate (acidity regulator, emulsifier)

541

Bone phosphate (anti-caking agent, emulsifier)

542

Silicon dioxide, amorphous (anti-caking agent)

551

Calcium silicate (anti-caking agent)

552

Magnesium silicate or Talc (anti-caking agent)

553

Sodium aluminosilicate (anti-caking agent)

554

Potassium aluminium silicate

555

Calcium aluminium silicate (anti-caking agent)

556

Bentonite (anti-caking agent)

558

Aluminium silicate

559

Potassium silicate (anti-caking agent)

560

Stearic acid or fatty acid (glazing agent, foaming agent)

570

Glucono d -lactone or Glucono delta-lactone (acidity regulator, raising agent)

575

Potassium gluconate (sequestrant)

577

Calcium gluconate (acidity regulator, firming agent)

578

Ferrous gluconate (colour retention agent)

579

Magnesium gluconate (acidity regulatory, firming agent)

580

4-Hexylresorcinol (antioxidant)

586

L-Glutamic acid (flavour enhancer)

620

Monosodium L-glutamate or MSG (flavour enhancer)

621

Monopotassium L-glutamate (flavour enhancer)

622

Calcium glutamate (flavour enhancer)

623

Monoammonium L-glutamate (flavour enhancer)

624

Magnesium glutamate (flavour enhancer)

625

Disodium 5. -guanylate (flavour enhancer)

627

Disodium 5. -inosinate (flavour enhancer)

631

Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides (flavour enhancer)

635

Maltol (flavour enhancer)

636

Ethyl maltol (flavour enhancer)

637

Glycine (flavour enhancer)

640

L-Leucine (flavour enhancer)

641

Polydimethylsiloxane or Dimethylpolysiloxane (anti-caking agent, emulsifier)

900a

Beeswax, white and yellow (glazing agent)

901

Carnauba wax (glazing agent)

903

Shellac (glazing agent)

904

Petrolatum or petroleum jelly (glazing agent)

905b

Oxidised polyethylene (humectant)

914

L-Cysteine monohydrochloride (raising agent)

920

Nitrogen (propellant)

941

Nitrous oxide (propellant  -  Laughing Gas)  used in Spray on artificial cream

942

Butane (propellant)

943a

Isobutane (propellant)

943b

Propane (propellant)

944

Octafluorocyclobutane (propellant)

946

Acesulphame potassium (sweetener)

950

Aspartame (sweetener)

951

Calcium cyclamate or sodium cyclamate or cyclamate (sweetener)

952

Isomalt (humectant, sweetener, bulking agent, anti-caking agent)

953

Saccharin or calcium saccharin or sodium saccharine or potassium saccharine (sweetener)

954

Sucralose (sweetener)

955

Alitame (sweetener)

956

Thaumatin (flavour enhancer, sweetener)

957

Neotame (sweetener)

961

Maltitol and maltitol syrup or hydrogenated glucose syrup (sweetener, stabiliser, emulsifier, humectant)

965

Lactitol (sweetener, humectant)

966

Xylitol (sweetener, humectant, stabiliser)

967

Erythritol (humectant, sweetener)

968

Choline salts (emulsifier)

1001

a-amylase (enzyme)

1100

Proteases (papain, bromelain, ficin) (stabiliser, enzyme)

1101

Glucose oxidase (antioxidant)

1102

Lipases (enzyme)

1104

Lysozyme (enzyme, preservative)

1105

Polydextrose (humectant, bulking agent, stabiliser, thickener)

1200

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (stabiliser)

1201

Dextrin roasted starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1400

Acid treated starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1401

Alkaline treated starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1402

Bleached starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1403

Oxidised starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1404

Enzyme treated starches (thickener, stabiliser)

1405

Monostarch phosphate (thickener, stabiliser)

1410

Distarch phosphate (thickener, stabiliser)

1412

Phosphated distarch phosphate (thickener, stabiliser)

1413

Acetylated distarch phosphate (thickener, stabiliser)

1414

Starch acetate esterified with acetic anhydride (thickener, stabiliser)

1420

Acetylated distarch adipate (thickener, stabiliser)

1422

Hydroxypropyl starch (thickener, stabiliser)

1440

Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (thickener, stabiliser)

1442

Starch sodium octenylsuccinate (thickener, stabiliser)

1450

Triethyl citrate (antifoaming agent)

1505

Triacetin (humectant)

1518

Propylene glycol (humectant)

1520

Polyethylene glycol 8000 (antifoaming agent)

1521

[Return to Top]
 

Food Additives Permitted in Milk Products

1.1.2  Liquid milk products and flavoured liquid milk

Code Additive mg/kg
160b Annatto extracts 10
950 Acesulphame potassium 500
160b Alitame 40
950 Aspartame-acesulphame salt 1100

1.1.3  Liquid milk to which phytosterol esters have been added

Code Additive mg/kg
401 Sodium alginate 2
407 Carrageenan 2
412 Guar gum 2
471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids 2

1.1.4  Liquid milk to which tall oil phytosterols have been added

Code Additive mg/kg
460 Microcrystalline cellulose 5

1.2.2  Fermented milk products and rennetted milk products

Code Additive mg/kg
160b Annatto extracts 60
950 Acesulphame potassium 500
956 Alitame 60
962 Aspartame-acesulphame salt 1100

1.4.2  Cream products (flavoured, whipped, thickened, sour cream )

Code Additive mg/kg
234 Nisin 10

Whipped thickened light cream

Code Additive mg/kg
475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids 5000

1.5  Dried milk, milk powder, cream powder

Code Additive mg/kg
304 Ascorbyl palmitate 5000
320 Butylated hydroxyanisole 100
343 Magnesium phosphates 10000
431 Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate GMP
530 Magnesium oxide 10000
542 Bone phosphate 1000
555 Potassium aluminium silicate GMP

Compiled from Current Australian approved additives   http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodmatters/foodadditives.cfm

  View List of Food Additives Permitted in Dairy Products 

[Return to Top]
 

Colourings Permitted in Medicines for Oral Use

Additive No:
Alura Red AC 129
Amaranth 123
Annatto Extracts (Oil and Alkali-extracted) 160b
Annatto Extracts (Solvent-extracted)  
Anthocyanins Grape Skin Extract 163(ii)
Beet Red 162
Betacarotene 160a(i)
Brilliant Black BN Brilliant Black PN 151
Brilliant Blue FCF 133
Brilliant Scarlet 4R Ponceau 4R 124
Canthaxanthin 161
Class I: Plain Caramel,caustic caramel 150a
Class II: Caustic sulfite 150b
Class III: Ammonia caramel 150c
Class IV: Sulfite ammonia 150d
Carbon black Vegetable carbon 153
Carmoisine Azorubine 122
Carotenes Carotenes (Algae)  
Carotenes (Vegetable) 160a(ii)
Chlorophylls 140
Chlorophyllins - Copper  
Complexes Sodium and Potassium Salts 141(ii)
Chlorophyllin -Copper Complex)  
Chlorophylls - Copper Complexes 141(i)
Chocolate Brown HT Brown 155
Cochineal 120
Curcumin 100(i)
Erythrosine 127
Fast green FCF 143
Food Orange 6 Beta-apo-8'-carotenal 160
Food Orange 7 Beta-apo-8’-carotenoic Acid 160f
Green S 142
Indigo Carmine Indigotine 132
Iron Oxide Black 172(i)
Iron Oxide Red 172(ii)
Iron Oxide Yellow 172(iii)
Patent Blue V 131
Phloxine B  
Quinoline Yellow 104
Riboflavin 101(i)
Saffron  
Sunset Yellow FCF 110
Titanium Dioxide 171
[Return to Top]
 


 Additives that are allowed in fish and fish products.
Unprocessed fish and fish fillets (including frozen and thawed)
 

Food Type Codex Number Additive Max (mg/kg)
Frozen fish fillets 300, 301, 302, 303 Ascorbic acid and sodium, calcium, potassium ascorbates 400
and 315, 316 Erythorbic acid and sodium erythorbate 400
peeled prawns 339, 340, 341 Sodium, potassium and calcium phosphates GMP
  450, 451, 452 Pyrophosphates, Triphosphates, Polyphosphates GMP
       
Uncooked crustacea 220, 221, 222, 223, Sulphur dioxide and sodium and potassium sulphites 100
  224, 225, 228   GMP
  300, 301, 302, 303 Ascorbic acid and sodium, calcium and potassium ascorbates GMP
  315, 316 Erythorbic acid and sodium erythorbate GMP
  330, 331, 332, Citric acid and sodium, potassium, calcium GMP
  333, 380 and ammonium citrates GMP
  500 Sodium carbonates GMP
  504 Magnesium carbonates GMP
  586 4-HEXYLRESORCINOL GMP
       

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) means using the lowest level possible of an additive to achieve a technological function (eg. preservation) which will leave the least residual in the final food.



Additives that are allowed in Processed fish and fish products.

Food Type Codex Number Additive Max (mg/kg)
       
Cooked crustacea 220, 221, 222, 223, Sulphur dioxide and sodium and potassium sulphites 30
  224, 225, 228    
       
Roe (all products) 123 Amaranth 300
       
Semi-preserved fish 160b Annatto extracts 10
  200, 201, 202, 203 Sorbic acid and sodium, potassium and calcium sorbates 2500
  210, 211, 212, 213 Benzoic acid and sodium and calcium benzoates 2500
       
Fully preserved fish 220, 221, 222, 223, Sulphur dioxide and sodium and potassium sulphites 30
and 224, 225, 228    
canned fish 385 Calcium disodium EDTA 250
       
Canned abalone (paua) 220, 221, 222, 223, Sulphur dioxide and sodium and potassium sulphites 1000
  224, 225, 228    

The maximum level of histamine permitted in fish or fish products. [2..2.3]

Histamine is a naturally produced toxin.
It is an indicator of decomposition and increased levels of histamine can be linked to inappropriate standards of hygiene and handling.
The level of histamine in fish or fish products must not exceed the following levels:

Decomposition – 10 mg/100 g of histamine for the species of Clupeidae, Scrombridae, Scrombresocidae, Pomatomidae and Coryphaenedae families.

Hygiene and handling – 20 mg per 100g. This applies only to species of the families Scrombridae, Clupeidae, Coryphaenidae, Scrombresocidae and Pomatomidae.

[Return to Top]


 

What do food additives do?

Some food additives have more than one use. Food additives are listed according to their functional or class names. Examples of the most common functions are:

  • Acids / Acidity regulators / Alkalis help to maintain a constant acid level in food.   This is important for taste, as well as to influence how other substances in the food function.   For example, an acidified food can retard the growth of some micro-organisms.

  • Anti-caking agents reduce the tendency of individual food particles to adhere and improve flow characteristics.   For example, seasoning with an added anti-caking agent flows freely and doesn' t clump together.

  • Antioxidants retard or prevent the oxidative deterioration of foods.   For example, in fats and oils, rancid flavours can develop when they are exposed to oxygen.   Antioxidants prevent this from happening.

  • Bulking agents contribute to the volume of the food, without contributing significantly to its available energy.   For example, sugar often contributes to the volume of lollies, while some low-joule foods need bulking agents added to them to replace the bulk normally provided by sugar.

  • Colourings add or restore colour to foods.   For example, icing mixture is coloured to make it more attractive on cakes.

  • Emulsifiers facilitate or maintain oil and water from separating into layers.   For example, emulsifiers may be used in margarine to prevent oil forming a layer on top of the margarine.

  • Firming agents / Stabilisers maintain the uniform dispersion of substances in solid and semi-solid foods.

  • Flavour enhancers enhance the existing taste and/or odour of a food.

  • Foaming agents maintain the uniform dispersion of gases in aerated foods.

  • Gelling agents modify the texture of the food through gel formation.

  • Glazing agents impart a coating to the external surface of the food, for example a wax coating on fruit to improve its appearance.

  • Humectants reduce moisture loss in foods.   For example, glycerine may be added to icing to prevent it from drying out.

  • Preservatives retard or prevent the deterioration of food by micro-organisms, and thus prevent spoilage of foods.

  • Raising agents liberate gases, thereby increasing the volume of a food.   Raising agents are often used in baked goods.

  • Sweeteners replace the sweetness normal provided by sugars in foods without contributing significantly to their available energy.

  • Thickeners increase the viscosity of a food.   For example, a sauce might contain a thickener to give it the desired consistency.

 
Australian Food Codex Updates 2008 .

Red 3 erythrosine ( Colour ) ( 127 )
A request to extend the use of erythrosine from a single food that is consumed in low amounts (i.e. preserved cherries) to a food additive preparation that would be added to specific products such as icing and frostings used in other foods that are more widely consumed (e.g. cakes, biscuits, fancy breads).

This is a partial extract from Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Media Release issued on   16 September 2008



Public submissions invited on proposed changes to the food code

16 September 2008

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today invited individuals and organisations with an interest in food regulation to comment on a possible change to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

This Code contains food standards (regulations) that set out requirements for food businesses that wish to sell food in Australia and New Zealand, covering the content, labelling and handling of food products.

Red 3 erythrosine in food colouring preparations Application. 

Golding Handcrafts has applied to FSANZ to modify the schedule of the Standard to permit the sale of food additive preparations containing the colour erythrosine.

Erythrosine is a cherry-pink food dye. In Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and in the Codex Alimentarius, the use of erythrosine is restricted to preserved cherries (known as maraschino cherries, cocktail cherries or glace cherries) up to a maximum of 200 mg/kg. Other red colours are not in common use for this purpose because the colour migrates into other food components the cherries may be packaged with. In the USA, erythrosine is permitted for general use, and is commonly used in sweets and foods marketed to children.

In March 1993 FSANZ’s predecessor, the National Food Authority, decided to withdraw permission for the use of erythrosine from all foods sold in Australia and New Zealand, except for preserved cherries and fabricated collagen casing for manufactured meats (the latter was phased out by 1997).

The Applicant is seeking to extend the use of erythrosine from a single food that is consumed in low amounts (i.e. preserved cherries) to a food additive preparation that would be added to specific products such as icing and frostings used in other foods that are more widely consumed (e.g. cakes, biscuits, fancy breads).

FSANZ will not compromise public health and safety in making any decision to extend the permission for using erythrosine.

Submissions:  FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers.   Details of the applications above can be found on www.foodstandards.gov.au .  The closing dates for submissions are 27 October 2008.


Source  Food Standards Australia New Zealand 16 September 2008 www.foodstandards.gov.au



Revised 25th October 2008