Commission Directive 2008/128/EC of 22 December 2008 laying down specific purity criteria concerning colours for use in foodstuffs (Codified version) (Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/107/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning food additives authorized for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 3(3)(a) thereof,

Whereas:

1. Commission Directive 95/45/EC of 26 July 1995 laying down specific criteria concerning colours for use in foodstuffs⁽²⁾ has been substantially amended several times⁽³⁾. In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified.

2. It is necessary to establish purity criteria for all colours mentioned in European Parliament and Council Directive 94/36/EC of 30 June 1994 on colours for use in foodstuffs⁽⁴⁾.

3. It is necessary to take into account the specifications and analytical techniques for colours as set out in the Codex Alimentarius as drafted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

4. Food additives prepared by production methods or starting materials significantly different from those evaluated by the Scientific Committee for Food or different from those mentioned in this Directive should be submitted for safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority with emphasis on the purity criteria.

5. The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

6. This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex II, Part B,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: