Correctly listing additives in the food industry: do's and don'ts

European Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

European Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 lists:

• all additives permitted for use in food in Europe;
• the concentrations in which they may be present; and
• exactly which foods they may be added to.

It also covers, among other things, the correct spelling and use of specific terminology on labelling (see below).

Correct notation

Annex VII of European Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 requires that an additive be indicated by its category name (1) and its additive name or E-number (2).

1. Indicating an additive in the ingredients list therefore always starts with the category name. This is the reason it is added to the food: as an emulsifier, preservative, colouring, anti-caking agent, raising agent, etc.

   Correct category names are set out in both Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

1. The category name is followed by the specific indication of the additive. Here, the producer can choose to list the additive under its additive name or under its E-number. Combining the name and the number is not allowed.

   For the correct additive name, reference can be made to the names used in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Names from the titles of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 are also permitted. The synonym names listed in the latter regulation may not be used.

All rules on the correct notation of additives on food labels are set out in the Q&A Document of the Belgian Federal Public Service Health.

Some practical examples

Example 1

• CORRECT: 'emulsifier: E322' or 'emulsifier: lecithins'.
• INCORRECT: 'emulsifier: lecithin E322'. Both the additive name and the E-number are used, and the terminology of the additive name is also non-compliant.
• For information: for lecithin derived from soy, don't forget to also highlight the allergen; this results in 'emulsifier: lecithins (soy)' or 'emulsifier: E322 (soy)'.

Example 2

• CORRECT: 'preservative' is the correct category name. Correct labelling then reads as follows: 'preservative: E202' or 'preservative: potassium sorbate'.
• INCORRECT: 'preserving agent: E202'.

Example 3

• CORRECT: the statement 'raising agent: sodium bicarbonate' is a correct way to indicate additive E500ii. Other options are 'raising agent: E500ii' or 'raising agent: sodium carbonates'.
• INCORRECT: 'raising agent: sodium hydrogen carbonates' is incorrect because this name is listed as a synonym in Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

Conclusion

Additives can be indicated in various ways on packaging, but remain strictly subject to certain requirements. In addition, the above rules also apply to any other language appearing on the packaging.

How can AMNorman support you?

Are you having trouble finding the correct terminology for labelling additives? Or would you like to know more about how to deal with processing aids and the carry-over principle in relation to additives?

Feel free to contact one of our labelling experts via etiketexpert@amnorman.be.