Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/683
of 2 May 2016
amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of propionic acid — propionates (E 280-283) in tortillas
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 lays down a Union list of food additives approved for use in foods and their conditions of use.
On 14 July 2015, an application was submitted for an extension of use of calcium propionate (E 282) as a preservative for extension of the shelf-life of tortillas. That application was made available to the Member States pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008.
The use of propionic acid — propionates is needed for the extension of the shelf-life of tortillas, since this product gets spoiled very quickly due to high moisture content and composition that is susceptible for microbial growth.
Propionic acid — propionates are widely used to prevent the growth of moulds in leavened bakery products, due to their minimal effect on yeast and on the odour or taste of the final product.
Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008, the Commission is to seek the opinion of the Authority in order to update the Union list of food additives set out in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, except where such update is not liable to have an effect on human health. Since the extension of the use of propionic acid — propionates (E 280-283) as preservatives in tortillas constitutes an update of that list which is not liable to have an effect on human health, it is not necessary to seek the opinion of the Authority.
Therefore, Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 should be amended accordingly.
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: