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Additives must be assessed for safety before they can be used in food. We also ensure that the science on additives is strictly reviewed, the law strictly enforced, and action is taken where problems are found. We investigate any information that casts reasonable doubt on the safety of an additive.
European Union (EU) legislation requires most additives used in foods to be labelled clearly in the list of ingredients, with their function, followed by either their name or E number. An E number means that it has passed safety tests and has been approved for use here and in the rest of the EU.
Back to topFood additives are grouped by what they do. The additives that you are most likely to come across on food labels are:
If you would like any more information, you can email: foodadditives@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 020 7276 8570.
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Most additives are only permitted to be used in certain foods and are subject to specific quantitative limits, so it is important to note this list should be used in conjunction with the appropriate EU Directives which can be viewed via the link at the bottom of this page.
These guidance notes will help food businesses understand the food additives legislation. They should be read in conjunction with the appropriate legislation and should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law, as only the courts have the power to interpret statutory provisions.
The European Commission has asked EFSA to systematically re-evaluate all authorised food additives in the European Union and has started by looking at all colours. EFSA has been asked to do this work in the interest of consumer protection to take account of new research since the original assessments were carried out.
Research funded by the FSA has suggested that consumption of mixes of certain artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate could be linked to increased hyperactivity in some children.
Aspartame is an intense sweetener, approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, which has been used in soft drinks and other low-calorie or sugar-free foods throughout the world for more than 25 years. It is also referred to as E951.
Steviol glycosides are high intensity sweeteners, 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose. They are isolated and purified from the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), where it is present at levels up to 13%.
Energy drinks are generally drinks with high caffeine levels that are claimed by the manufacturers to give the consumer more 'energy' than a typical soft drink. They are often also known as 'stimulant' or 'shot' drinks.
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