Food authority concerned about additives

Exposure by Irish consumers to levels of two types of food preservative is a cause for concern and further examination, a new report has shown.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland today published the first national report on the exposure of Irish consumers to food additives in their diet.

It found 162 of the 311 additives approved by the EU were in the average Irish diet. Of this 162, two groups of additives - sulphites and nitrites - showed levels that needed further assessment.

Designed as an information resource, the report provides a full list of E numbers and EU definitions.

Dr Wayne Anderson, chief food specialist, FSAI, said in the 1980s E numbers were portrayed as something to avoid but this is not the case.

"The fact an additive has an E number means its use is controlled by the additive legislation and it has undergone a full safety assessment," he said.

Three EU directives adopted in 1994/5 provide the framework for food additive law. This have been incorporated and forms the basis for national legislation on food additives.

Ireland, along with all other EU countries is required to monitor additive intake in the population's diet to ensure that the intake is below acceptable daily intake (ADI), set by the EU Scientific Committee on Food.

Dr Anderson said the FSAI with the health boards would continue to monitor the additive content of foodstuffs in the Irish diet.