THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives(1) and in particular Article 30(5) thereof,
After consulting the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),
Whereas:
(1) Commission Directive 2008/60/EC(2) laying down specific purity criteria on sweeteners sets out the purity criteria for the sweeteners for use in foodstuffs listed in European Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC of 30 June 1994 on sweeteners for use in Foodstuffs(3).
(2) The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the information on the safety in use of neotame as a sweetener and flavour enhancer and expressed its opinion of 27 September 2007(4). On the basis of the proposed uses, it has been considered appropriate to permit the use of this food additive. It is therefore necessary to adopt specifications for this food additive which is allocated E 961 as E number.
(3) It is necessary to take into account the specifications and analytical techniques for additives as set out in the Codex Alimentarius drafted by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). In particular, the specific purity criteria need to be adapted to reflect the limits for individual heavy metals of interest, where appropriate.
(4) Directive 2008/60/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(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,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Scientific opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the European Commission on neotame as a sweetener and flavour enhancer. The EFSA Journal (2007) 581, 1-43.