http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eur/2012/470

Commission Regulation (EU) No 470/2012

of 4 June 2012

amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polydextrose (E 1200) in beer

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives1, and in particular Article 10(3) and Article 30(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 lays down a Union list of food additives approved for use in foods and their conditions of use.

(2)

That list may be amended in accordance with the procedure referred to in Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings2.

(3)

Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008, the Union list of food additives may be updated either on the initiative of the Commission or following an application.

(4)

An application for authorisation of the use of polydextrose (E 1200) as a stabiliser in beer was submitted and has been made available to the Member States.

(5)

Energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers have a generally low acceptance because of their lack of body and mouthfeel. Addition of polydextrose (E 1200) can contribute to the body and mouthfeel and at the same time can provide the necessary foam stability. In addition, polydextrose (E 1200) has a low caloric value and its addition will have a limited contribution to the total calorie content of the beer.

(6)

Polydextrose (E 1200) belongs to the group of additives for which no acceptable daily intake has been specified3. This implies that it does not represent a hazard to health at the levels necessary to achieve the desired technological effect. It is therefore appropriate to allow the use of polydextrose (E 1200) in energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers.

(7)

Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008, the Commission is to seek the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority in order to update the Union list of food additives set out in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, except where the update in question is not liable to have an effect on human health. Since the authorisation of use of polydextrose (E 1200) in energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers constitutes an update of that list which is not liable to have an effect on human health, it is not necessary to seek the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority.

(8)

Pursuant to the transitional provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing a Union list of food additives4, Annex II establishing the Union list of food additives approved for use in foods and conditions of use applies from 1 June 2013. In order to allow the use of polydextrose (E 1200) in beer before that date, it is necessary to specify an earlier date of application with regard to this use of that food additive.

(9)

Therefore, Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 should be amended accordingly.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and neither the European Parliament nor the Council has opposed them,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: