MEPs want additives in child products re-examined

FLAVOURINGS specially put into foods simply to make them attractive to children could soon be banned under new rules going through the European Parliament.

Flavourings, enzymes, colourings, preservatives, gelling agents, antioxidants and packaging gases are all under the microscope of the MEPs. They want them re-evaluated to take into account the latest science and the effects they have on the eating habits of children and people’s health generally.

Fine Gael MEP Avril Doyle drew up the report for the parliament on enzymes that said they must not be used to fool the consumer into thinking something is fresh or natural when in fact it is not.

There is a growing amount of evidence that much of the chemical additives put into processed foods are creating problems for children such as hyperactivity and allergies.

Other additives can make certain foods addictive. “The jury is still out on some of these but we need to investigate them,” she said.

The parliament voted yesterday to have the effect of flavourings on vulnerable groups investigated to see how it affects their food preference.

MEP Kathy Sinnott, who was also involved in the report, said labelling was important so that the growing number of people with food allergies would know exactly what was in foods.

Parliament agreed additives should not be used unless technologically necessary, and they want to ban them completely in food for babies and small children and in unprocessed foods.

In fact they argue, they should only be used if they benefit the consumer and say that all the 300-plus additives already on the market should be gradually re-evaluated under strict new tests while all new additives should pass the test before being allowed onto the market. The legislation drawn up initially by the European Commission will go to the member states for their views later this year.