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.