GFSA ONLINE - CODEX STAN 19-1995; ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOD ADDITIVES

[Calvin S. Mathew]

Food additives have become an indispensable ingredient of our foods. It is added to our foods for various reason such as preservation, flavor and appearance enhancements. There are a lot of speculations about use of additives.....

As food safety experts, we cannot  rely on speculations and we need authenticated information. GFSA online provides us the answer to our questions regarding food additives. It is an online searchable database of the codex standard 19-1995.  

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has developed a standard called the General Standard for Food Additives (“GFSA”) (CODEX STAN 19-1995) which clearly defines the safe usage of food additives. All the food additives that are included in this standard have undergone extensive technological research and are considered to be safe to use in food. This standard is the only available authority worldwide that recognizes and approves the use of any food additives. 

This database and standard is not complete and it is regularly updated to add information about more and more food additives. 

Link to this website is: http://www.fao.org/gsfaonline/index.html or Search for the key word 'GFSA online'.

WHEN CAN WE USE AN ADDITIVE?? 

• Food additives can be used only in those circumstances where the objective of using the additive cannot be achieved by any other means which is economical and technologically practical. Food manufacturing companies should proactively follow this principle when food additives are considered. 

• Restaurants can avoid using food colors and instead keep an information board saying "our food may look dull as we are not using colors but it will taste great" 

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE STANDARD - CODEX STAN 19-1995

• This standard is divided in to a preamble, annexures, tables and general provisions regarding food additives.
  

• The Preamble provides a general introduction about the scope of this standard, definitions, general principles for use of food additives, Justification for use of food additives & GMPs for use of food additives.
  

• There are three annexes in this standard.

•  Annex A explains the basic calculation methods for the different levels of food additives; 

•  Annex B explains the different food categories. (Food category system)

•  Annex C is a cross-reference of the food category system and Codex commodity standards

• Table 1 : Additives Permitted for Use Under Specified Conditions in Certain Food Categories or Individual Food Items

• This table provides details about the food category in which each additive can be used and also the permitted levels. 
• Also describes the functionality for each additive.

• Table 2: Food Categories or Individual Food Items in Which Food Additives are Permitted

• If you need to know the permitted additives for your product category, refer to this table. 
• This will also provide you additional details about maximum limits, INS, the year in which it was approved and also the reference to any specific notes about its usage which is provided at the last part of table 2

• Table 3: Additives Permitted for Use in Food in General, Unless Otherwise Specified, in Accordance with GMP.

• This table provides information of additives that can be used in any food and also mentions the reference standards in which these additives are specifically mentioned.

WHAT IS GFSA ONLINE?

• GSFA online is a searchable database developed by WHO/FAO standards which provides comprehensive information regarding food additives.
• Link to this website is: http://www.fao.org/gsfaonline/index.html or Search for the key word 'GFSA online'. 
• Provides a searchable link to the JECFA evaluation reports for additives (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives)
• Provides search option to easily find the additives or food category and related information
• Provides a link to the PDF format of the standard CODEX STAN 19-1995

Regards

Calvin 

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