These Regulations provide for the implementation of three new Commission Directives (“the new Directives”) which consolidate existing European Community rules governing the purity criteria for colours, sweeteners and other miscellaneous additives used in foods.
These Regulations further amend the Colours in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R.1996 No. 49 as amended), the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R.1996 No. 48 as amended) and the Miscellaneous Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R.1996 No. 50 as amended).
Implementation of the Directives which the new Directives replace was by reference to them in domestic provisions, and these Regulations therefore update those references.
The new Directives are —
Commission Directive 2008/128/EC laying down specific purity criteria concerning colours for use in foodstuffs (OJ No. L6, 10.1.2009, p.20);
Commission Directive 2008/60/EC laying down specific purity criteria concerning sweeteners for use in foodstuffs (OJ No. L158, 18.6.2008, p.17); and
Commission Directive 2008/84/EC laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (OJ No. L253, 20.9.2008, p.1).