The Tryptophan in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Tryptophan in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990, as amended. N.I.

2.  Tryptophan is an amino acid. These Regulations continue to prohibit the addition of tryptophan (as defined in regulation 2(1)) to food, and the sale, offer for sale and exposure for sale of food containing tryptophan, subject to exceptions (regulations 2(2), 4 and 5). N.I.

3.  The main changes effected by these Regulations are— N.I.

(a) the addition of a new exception from the prohibitions in the Regulations in respect of laevorotatory tryptophan added to food supplements if certain conditions are met (regulation 5(3));

(b) the insertion of a qualification to the existing exception in respect of laevorotatory tryptophan, its sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium salts or its hydrochloride added to certain foods for particular nutritional use in that the added substance must comply with specified purity criteria (regulation 5(2)).

4.  The Regulations also— N.I.

(a) continue to provide for offences and a penalty (regulation 6);

(b) make provision as to enforcement (regulation 7);

(c) apply various provisions of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (regulations 8 and 9) and include a presumption as regards food which contravenes the Regulations in certain circumstances (regulation 3);

(d) make revocations (regulation 10).

5.  The Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O.J. No. L204, 21.7.98, p. 37) laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on Information Society services, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O.J. No. L217, 5.8.98, p. 18). N.I.

6.  The European Pharmacopoeia may be obtained from The Stationery Office (customer services telephone number 0870 600 5522; email: [e-mail]). N.I.