WHITE OILS


WHITE MINERAL OILS AND EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE ON FOOD ADDITIVES


Following MAFF's announcement concerning its intention to stop any further action pending the public-ation of an EU Directive on food additives, industry has awaited further news. This is the current situation.


A few months ago the European parliament adopted a directive concerning food additives other than colourings and sweeteners. Mineral oils and waxes were under review as glazing agents on fruits but, as expected, were not put on the positive list on the basis that their toxicological status was still under review by the European Scientific Committee for Food whose recommendations are not anticipated before the end of 1995.


The Directive provides a list of additives


permitted in a certa in number of applications and following its publication in the official journal, Member States will have to modify their legislation in order to allow, within 18 months, trade and use of such products conforming to this Directive, and to prohibit, within 24 months, trade and use of products not confirming with the Directive.


The official journal publication entitled


'European Parliament and Council Directive No. 95/2/EC of 20th February 1995 on food additives other than colours and sweeteners' was issued on 18th March 1995.


The Directive does not question white


mineral oil uses in other than direct food applications and, hence, uses such as food processing aids as well as pharmaceutical, medicinal or cosmetic applications are not affected. No other existing or planned EU Directives cover these applications, as far as we are aware, and hence national regulations apply.


The Directive on food additives also does not


cover the use of additives in materials in contact with food and these applications are addressed in a framework directive (Council Directive 89/1 09EEC of 21/12/88 'Approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs'). The objective is to have separate directives covering a number of food contact materials, including plastics (under 90/128/EEC).


Under 90/128/EEC a list of Monomers and


Additives which can be used with and without restriction will be redeveloped. CONCAWE, together with other bodies, are working towards acceptance of mineral hydrocarbons on the positive listing and are liaising closely with the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure all the relevant information is available. Further information on this will be issued in future editions of LUBE.


Dave Fenwick. 9th. October, 1995. Market Research


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