Flavouring substance benzene-1,2-diol
- Food additives
- Food safety
Summary
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to remove benzene-1,2-diol from the list of substances that may be used in the EU to flavour foods (G/SPS/N/EU/761). Its removal is proposed due to safety concerns.
EU proposes to ban the flavouring benzene-1,2-diol
Draft Commission Regulation (EU) amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the removal of the flavouring substance Benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) from the Union list
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to remove benzene-1,2-diol from the list of substances that may be used in the EU to flavour foods (G/SPS/N/EU/761). Its removal is proposed due to safety concerns.
What is changing?
Regulation 1334/2008 (Annex I) lists flavouring substances that are authorised to be used in foods in the European Union. The European Commission proposes to remove benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) from that list.
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority has reviewed a number of smoke flavouring products (EFSA 2023a–d) and concluded that benzene-1,2-diol raises safety concerns regarding its genotoxicity.
Timeline
The removal of benzene-1,2-diol from the EU list is expected from approximately the fourth quarter of 2024. Foods containing this substance exported before the Regulation applies may stay on the EU market until their use-by date.
Recommended Actions
Companies that export food products containing these flavourings can look for alternative substances in the Food Flavourings Database.
Background
Regulation 1334/2008 prohibits adding certain undesirable natural substances to food. It also lays down maximum levels for some substances that are naturally present in flavourings, but which may raise concerns for human health. The Regulation defines different types of flavourings, and lists the substances for which evaluation and approval is required.
The Union list of flavouring substances approved for use in and on foods (Regulation 872/2012) was adopted in 2012.
When EFSA evaluates flavouring substances, it allocates them a unique identification number called an FL-number. FL comes from “FLAVIS”, the EU’s flavouring information system. The FL-number is not used for labelling purposes.
Resources
EFSA (2023a) Scientific opinion on the renewal of the authorisation of Zesti Smoke Code 10 (SF‐002) as a smoke flavouring Primary Product. EFSA Journal, 21(11): 8364.
EFSA (2023b) Scientific opinion on the renewal of the authorisation of Smoke Concentrate 809045 (SF-003) as a smoke flavouring Primary Product. EFSA Journal, 21(11): 8365.
EFSA (2023c) Scientific opinion on the renewal of the authorisation of SmokEz C‐10 (SF‐005) as a smoke flavouring Primary Product. EFSA Journal, 21(11): 8367.
EFSA (2023d) Scientific opinion on the renewal of the authorisation of SmokEz Enviro‐23 (SF‐006) as a smoke flavouring Primary Product. EFSA Journal, 21(11): 8368.
Regulation 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods
Regulation 872/2012 adopting the list of flavouring substances provided for by Regulation 2232/96
Sources
Draft Regulation as regards the removal of the flavouring substance Benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) from the Union list
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EU proposes to ban the flavouring benzene-1,2-diol
Regulation
Draft Regulation as regards the removal of the flavouring substance Benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) from the Union list
What is changing and why?
The European Commission proposes to ban the use of benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) due to concerns about its genotoxicity.
Actions
Companies that export food products containing these flavourings can look for alternative substances in the Food Flavourings Database.
Timeline
The removal of benzene-1,2-diol from the EU list is expected from approximately the fourth quarter of 2024. Foods containing this substance exported before the Regulation applies may stay on the EU market until their use-by date.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.