Food Additives Research Programme (A01)

The programme provides information to ensure food additive use does not prejudice food safety. Much of the current work is focused to develop and validate appropriate methodology to measure levels of additives in foods. This information is required to underpin policy work and to enable the UK to fulfil its EU obligation to monitor intakes and usage of additives. The programme of work helps the Agency to achieve its objectives, as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2001-2006, by ensuring: that the chemicals present in food do not compromise food safety; that proper controls are in place and are being enforced; and that information will be obtained to facilitate and encourage open debate between stakeholders where areas of mutual interest are identified.

The planned research requirements are to:

• Develop extraction methods suitable for the identification and quantification of additives in permitted foods consumed in the UK. In particular, to extract and routinely measure those additives (including food colours, emulsifiers and miscellaneous additives) for which methods do not exist or existing methodology is limited in scope.
• Validate developed methodology for the identification and quantification of additives in permitted foods. Carry out suitable inter laboratory trials to assess reliability of new methods of analysis. Validated methodology will be used to assist enforcement and for surveillance.
• Develop mechanisms for monitoring additive intakes. Put validated methodology in place to gather information on additive levels, usage and consumption and to monitor intakes of those additives recommended for review by the European Commission report on dietary food additive intake in the European Union. Results arising from this work will be used in support of the UK position in negotiations of the development and amendment of additive legislation in Europe.
• Research on general aspects of additive safety as policy work develops.

The planned surveillance requirements are to:

• Use validated methodology developed in this programme to obtain data on actual additive levels and usage.

Information gained from this programme of work will build on systems already in place to aid protection of consumers from the misuse of food additives. The research will improve our understanding of additive exposure and enable UK intake estimations to be refined.

In support of the Agency's strategic aims and business objectives, the proposed research aims to provide the best possible scientific evidence on the safety of chemicals in food, and support development of policy on food additives which is open, independent and puts the consumer first.

In addressing Divisional objectives the research will provide scientific support for advice on safety during food chemical incidents. An improved scientific basis for consumer protection will be provided by carrying out innovative scientific work on additives via development and validation of analytical methodology to assist enforcement and monitor intakes, and by the commissioning of surveys on food additives. Further, by taking action where this work identifies problems and developing policy and setting standards through negotiation in Brussels on food additives.

The programme will add to the Agency's knowledge base by providing data for the development of scientific advice to expert advisory committees on the uses and consequent intakes of food additives. This will help ensure that food additives are permitted only if there is a demonstrable need and that the intakes of such additives remain within acceptable safety limits. Development of analytical methodology will assist enforcement and protect the consumer from misuse of additives.

EC legislation on food additives requires EU Member States to monitor food additive intakes. The Agency already has a programme of work in this area and a strategy which focuses on those additives where intakes might exceed acceptable levels. For consumer protection, and to ensure food safety, it is necessary to monitor additive levels in foods, changes in dietary behaviour and patterns of food additive use and to focus attention on those additives and critical consumer groups where there is evidence of concern. The UK's strategic approach to measuring intakes of additives will be developed so that intakes can be compared with EU toxicological standards.

The previous programme on food additives was set up to ensure that the use of food additives does not prejudice food safety. Much of the work has focused to develop and validate appropriate methodology to measure levels of additives in food; ranging from feasibility studies to acquire a better understanding of factors affecting additive intakes to development of appropriate test protocols. The proposed programme will expand this knowledge base.

A review of published methodology on additives carried out by the Agency, in conjunction with the Working Party on Food Additives and enforcement bodies, has highlighted a number of gaps in knowledge. Methods of food analysis for additives from a wide range of groups and extraction matrices are not available, limiting enforcement of food additive regulations and effective monitoring of additive intake. Under the proposed programme, development of such methodology is essential to provide reliable methods of analysis for additives to enforcement authorities and fulfil legal obligations to monitor additive intake.
Industry is required to undertake the safety evaluation of additives intended for use in food and to demonstrate the need for additives in food systems. It is the Agency's job to set the framework and context for the evaluation of the results provided by industry. This framework includes the description of the scientific background against which the use and safety of new additives or new uses of additives can be evaluated. In addition, the requirements laid out in EC Directives places an obligation on Member States to monitor and evaluate the extent of food additive usage and intake. This programme will provide the scientific basis for such monitoring to be effectively carried out.

Information gained from this programme of work will build on systems already in place to aid protection of consumers from the misuse of food additives. The programme will enable the UK to fulfil its EU obligation to monitor intakes and usage of additives, and lead advancement of the EU food additive monitoring programme. The programme will also provide technical information to underpin UK work in EU negotiations on, for example, criteria of purity and setting of limits.

Completing this programme of work will help the Agency to achieve its objectives, as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2001-2006, by ensuring: that the chemicals present in food do not compromise food safety; that proper controls are in place and are being enforced; and that information will be obtained to facilitate and encourage open debate between stakeholders where areas of mutual interest are identified.

Name: Dr Stephen Johnson
Tel: 020 7276 8508
Email: stephen.johnson@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk