S.L. 449.21 Art. 9Use of the word "natural".

(1) The word "natural", or any other word having substantially the same meaning, may be used only for flavourings in which the flavouring component contains exclusively flavouring substances as defined in regulation 2(b)(i), or flavouring preparations as defined in regulation 2.

(2) If the sales description of the flavourings contains a reference to a foodstuff or a flavouring source, the word "natural", or any other word having substantially the same meaning, may not be used unless the flavouring component has been isolated by appropriate physical processes, enzymatic or microbiological processes or traditional food-preparation processes solely or almost solely from the foodstuff or the flavouring source concerned.

(3) The provisions of sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall apply to the labelling of flavourings referred to in regulations 7 and 8.

FIRST SCHEDULE

(Regulation 5(3)) Maximum limits for certain undesirable substances present in foodstuffs as consumed as a result of the use of flavourings.

SUBSTANCE FOODSTUFFS BEVERAGES

3,4 benzopyrene 0.03 µg/kg 0.03 µg/kg

SECOND SCHEDULE

(Regulation 5(4))

Maximum limits for certain substances obtained from flavorings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties present in foodstuffs as consumed in which flavourings have been used.

Substances Foodstuffs Beverages Exceptions and or mg/kg mg/kg special restrictions Agaric acid * 20 20 100 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages and foodstuffs containing mushrooms. Aloin* 0.1 0.1 50 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages. Beta asarone * 0.1 0.1 1 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages and seasonings used in snack foods. Berberine * 0.1 0.1 10mg/kg in alcoholic beverages. Coumarin * 2 2 10 mg/kg in certain types of caramel confectionery. 50 mg/kg in chewing gum. 10 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages. Hydrocyanic acid * 1 1 50 mg/kg in nougat, marzipan or its substitutes or similar products. Substances Foodstuffs Beverages Exceptions and or mg/kg mg/kg special restrictions 1 mg/% volume of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. 5 mg/kg in canned stone fruit. Hypericine * 0.1 0.1 10 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages. 1 mg/kg in confectionery. Pulegone * 25 100 250 mg/kg in mint or peppermint-flavoured beverages. 350 mg/kg in mint confectionery. Quassine * 5 5 10 mg/kg in confectionery in pastille form. 50 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages. Safrole and isosafrol * 1 1 2 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with not more than 25% volume of alcohol. 5 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with more than 25% volume of alcohol. 15 mg/kg in foodstuffs containing mace and nutmeg. Santonin * 0.1 0.1 1 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with more than 25% volume of alcohol. Thuyone (∝ and ß) * 0.5 0.5 5 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with not more than 25% volume of alcohol. 10 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with more than 25% volume of alcohol. 25 mg/kg in foodstuffs containing preparations based on sage. 35 mg/kg in bitters.

* May not be added as such to foodstuffs or to flavourings. May be present in a foodstuff either naturally or following the addition of flavourings prepared from natural raw materials.