Proposed EU changes to permitted lycopene levels

Changes to the permitted levels and food categories that lycopene is permitted in have been proposed by the European Commission after consultation with stakeholders and Member States.

Directive 94/36/EC on colours for use in foodstuffs authorises in Annexe V, Part 2 the use of the colour E 160d lycopene from red tomatoes in certain foods singly or in combination with some other colours up to the maximum levels specified, and in Annexe III in jams, jellies and marmalades.

Following a risk assessment carried out by the European Food Safety Authority on lycopene the European Commission proposes to amend currently permitted levels for lycopene.

Before an amended Directive comes into force there will be a transitional period to enable manufacturers to adapt to the new levels. The length of the transitional period has not yet been agreed.

Key proposal(s):

• To change the EU permitted levels of lycopene in food and drink

The European Commission has already consulted informally with industry trade associations about the proposed reductions and from this we believe that levels of lycopene currently used by UK manufacturers are below the proposed permitted levels. We would very much appreciate confirmation that this is the case, or if as a manufacturer you believe that the proposed changes will bring you extra costs, we would appreciate evidence of those costs and how you will incur them.

Question asked in this consultation:

1. If the proposed changes are made to permitted levels of lycopene, will this bring you extra costs? If yes, please give evidence of how great the costs will be and how you will incur them.

Responses are required by close Friday 23 April. Please state, in your response, whether you are responding as a private individual or on behalf of an organisation/company (including details of any stakeholders your organisation represents).

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. Responses will be open to public access upon request. The FSA will also publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name and contact address details. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator by email: consultationcoordinator@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk