Scientific Committee on Food - Archive

The opinions are published by the European Commission in their original language. Only this version is the original one. If other linguistic versions appear on this page, these will be clearly identified. The opinions are those of the Scientific Committees. It does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission.

Reports

The reports of the Scientific Committee on Food from 1974 until 1997 are published below in .pdf format. The list is sorted in chronological order beginning with the most recent reports.

LIST OF REPORTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE FOR FOOD (1974-1997)

Forty-fourth Series (2000) (No Catalogue: GT-29-98-003-EN-C, ISBN 92-828-5888-X) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• Nitro musk compounds in foods (expressed on 13th June 1997)
• Principles for the development of risk assessment of microbiological hazards under the hygiene of foodstuffs Directive 93/43/EEC (expressed on 13th June 1997)
• Microcrystalline Cellulose (expressed on 19th September 1997)
• Derivatives of wood rosin as coating agents for fresh citrus fruits (Expressed on 19th September 1997)
• The relationship between scientific data and the labelling of genetically modified foods and their derived products (expressed on 19th September 1997)
• A Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 0.01 mg/kg for pesticides in foods intended for infants and young children (expressed on the 19th September 1997)
• The potential risk to human health arising from the bulk transport of raw sugar, semi processed syrups and thick sugar juices intended for the production of white sugar, in non dedicated ships' tanks and road tankers (expressed on 19th september 1997)
• The potential micro-biological risk arising from the presence of moisture in tea (expressed on 19th September 1997)
• Papain from papaya fruit (Carica papaya) used as a meat tenderising agent agent - (examination of additional information) (expressed on the 20th September 1997)

Forty-third Series (2000) (No Catalogue: GT -29-98-002-EN-C, ISBN 92-828-5887-1) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• Arsenic, Barium, Fluoride, Boron and Manganese in Natural Mineral Waters (Expressed on 13 December 1996)
• Starch aluminium octenyl succinate (SAOS) (Expressed on 21st March 1997)
• The additional information from the Austrian Authorities concerning the marketing of Ciba Geigy Maize (expressed on 21st March 1997)
• Actilight - A fructo oligosaccharide (FOS) (expressed on 21st March 1997)
• Diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono and diglycerides (DATEM E 472e) (expressed on 13th June 1997)
• Opinion on canthaxanthin (Expressed on 13th June 1997)
• A request for the use of algal beta-carotene as a food colour (Expressed on 13th June 1997)
• Certain additives for use in foods for infants and young children in good health and in foods for special medical purposes for infants and young children (Expressed on 21 March 1997 and amended on 13th June 1997)
• An additional list of monomers and additives used in the manufacture of plastics materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (expressed on 13th June 1997)
• Clarification and explanation of the SCF's opinion of 7 June 1996 on BADGE (expressed on 13th June 1997)

Forty-second Series (2000) (No Catalogue: GT-29-98-001-EN-C, ISBN 92-828-5886-3) - (View report)

Report on:

• Compilation of the evaluations of the Scientific Committee for Food on certain monomers and additives used in the manufacture of plastics materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs expressed until 21st March 1997

Forty-first Series (1997) (No Catalogue: GT 07 97660-EN-DE-FR) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• Colours in foods for special medical purposes for young children (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• Maximum limits for vitamins and minerals in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• The potential for adverse health effects from the consumption of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L.) (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• ß-cyclodextrin manufactured by the action of the enzyme cycloglycosyltransferase obtained from Bacillus circulans on partially hydrolysed starch (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• Foods for special medical purposes. (FSMPS) (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• The safety in use of konjac gum as a food additive (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• The safety in use of konjac glucomannan as a food additive (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)

Fortieth Series (1997) (No Catalogue: GT 07 97652-EN-DE-FR) - (View report)

Report on:

• Endocrine disruptors and food. (adopted on 7 June 1996)

Opinions on:

• Additives in nutrient preparations for use in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and weaning foods. (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)
• Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether. (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)
• The potential risk to human health arising from the transport in ships' tanks of oil and fats from substances proposed as acceptable previous cargoes. (Opinion expressed on 20 September 1996)
• The microbiological safety of Modified Atmosphere Packaged (MAP) and Controlled Atmosphere Packaged (CAP) foods. (Opinion expressed on 20 September 1996)
• Propane-1,2-diol (Opinion expressed on 20 September 1996)

The assessment of novel foods:

• Part II: Recommendations concerning the scientific aspects of the presentation of information necessary to support applications for placing on the market of novel foods and novel food ingredients (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)
• Part III: Recommendations concerning the scientific aspects of the preparation of the initial assessment reports on applications for placing on the market of novel foods and novel food ingredients (Opinion expressed on 13 December 1996)

Thirty-ninth Series (1997) (No Catalogue: GT 07 97644-EN-DE-FR) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• The scientific basis of the concept of threshold of regulation in relation to food contact materials (Opinion expressed on 8 March 1996)
• Products derived from bovine tissues, especially gelatin, tallow and Di-calcium-phosphate in relation to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Opinion expressed on 15 April 1996)
• The use of ozone for the removal of unstable elements such as iron, manganese and arsenic from natural mineral waters (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)
• Dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC, VELCORIN) (Response to comments of the French authorities) (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)
• Phthalates in infant formulae (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)
• The calculation of vitamin E content in infant formulae and follow-on formulae (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)

The assessment of novel foods:

• Part I: Recommendations concerning the scientific aspects of information necessary to support applications for placing on the market of novel foods and novel food ingredients (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)

Report on:

• Principles for the development of microbiological criteria for foodstuffs as covered by the hygiene of foodstuffs Directive 93/43/EEC - Recommendation of the Scientific Committee for Foods (Opinion expressed on 7 June 1996)

Thirty-eighth Series (1997) (No Catalogue: GT 07 97620-EN-DE-FR) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• Nitrate and nitrite (Opinion expressed on 22 September 1995)
• Draft Commission Directive laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (Opinion expressed on 14 December 1995)
• Cyclamic acid and its sodium and calcium salts (Opinion expressed on 14 December 1995)
• The safety in use of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane as a solvent for flavour extraction (Opinion expressed on 14 December 1995)
• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Opinion expressed on 8 March 1996)

Thirty-seventh Series (1997) (Cat. N° CO-04-97-226-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

Report on:

• Adverse reactions to foods and food ingredients (Opinion expressed on 22 September 1995)

Opinion on:

• Mineral and synthetic hydrocarbons (Opinion expressed on 22 September 1995)

Thirty-sixth Series (1997) (Cat. N° CO-02-96-868-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• Coumarin (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)
• Carnauba wax (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)
• Ammonia Caramel as a food colour (Opinion expressed on 25 June 1993)
• Caustic Sulphite Caramel (Opinion expressed on 14 December 1990)
• Iso-Ascorbic Acid [Including D-isoascorbic (Erythorbic) and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts] (Opinion expressed on 3 March 1995)
• 3-Monochlorpropane-1,2.-diol (3-MCPD) (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)
• Cadmium (Opinion expressed on 2 June 1995)
• The food safety implications of surveillance systems employing neutron scanning(interrogation) devices (Opinion expressed on 3 March 1995)
• Di-ethylhexyladipate (DEHA) (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)
• Di-ethylhexyladiphthalate (DEHP) (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)
• Papain from papaya fruit (Carica Papaya) used as a meat tenderising agent (Opinion expressed on 2 June 1995)
• Acetylated oxidised starch (Opinion expressed on 2 June 1995)
• Polyethyleneglycol 6000 (Opinion expressed on 16 December 1994)

Report on:

• Certain esters used in plastics for food contact applications (Opinion expressed on 2 June 1995)

Thirty-fifth Series (1996) (Cat. N° CO-91-95-253-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

Opinions on

• Propylene glycol (Opinion expressed on 9 December 1993)
• Alternatively refined carrageenan produced from Eucheuma cottonii and Eucheuma spinosum (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• p-Hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters and their sodium salts (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• Specifications for food additives (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• Sorbic acid and its calcium and potassium salts (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• Sulphur dioxide and other sulphiting agents (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• Benzoic acid and its salts (Opinion expressed on 25 February 1994)
• Hexane used as an extraction solvent (Opinion expressed on 17 June 1994)
• Lindane in baby foods (Opinion expressed on 23 September 1994)
• Cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose (modified cellulose gum) (Opinion expressed on 23 September 1994)
• Invertase derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Opinion expressed on 23 September 1994)
• Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A and Patulin (Opinion expressed on 23 September 1994)

Thirty-four Series (1995) (Cat. N° CO-85-94-907-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

Reports on:

• Smoke flavouring (Adopted on 25 June 1993)
• Essential requirements for infant formulae and follow-on formulae. (Opinion expressed on 17 September 1993)

Opinions on:

• Microcrystalline cellulose (Adopted on 17 September 1993)
• Polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitan mono-oleate (polysorbate 80) (Opinion expressed on 17 September 1993)
• Dimethylerephthalate recovered from PET bottles (Opinion expressed on 17 September 1993)
• Three chymosins from genetically modified organisms (Opinion expressed on 25 June and 10 December 1993)

Thirty-third Series (1995) (Cat. N° CO-86-94-852-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

• First report of the Scientific Committee for Food on certain additives used in the manufacture of plastic materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 3 May 1992)

Thirty-second Series (1994) (Cat. N° CO-80-93-589-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

Opinions on:

• An activated lactoperoxidase system (Opinion expressed on 19 June 1992)
• Re-evaluation of 5 modified celluloses (Opinion expressed on 13 March 1992)
• Addendum to the opinion on modified celluloses concerning enzymatically hydrolised carboxymethylcellulose (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1992)
• The potential risk to health presented by lead in food and drink (Opinion expressed on 19 June 1992)
• The evaluation of Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB) (Opinion expressed on 3 May 1992)
• The acceptability of wines treated with certain ion-exchange resins (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1992)
• Certain additives for use in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and weaning foods (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1992)
• Carrageenan (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1992)

Revisions of previous opinions on:

• Alginate (Opinion expressed on 19 October 1992)
• Modified starches - starch sodium octenyl succinate (Opinion expressed on 19 October 1992)
• Extraction Solvents - dichlormethane (Opinion expressed on 10 April 1992)
• Glycerol esters of wood rosin (Opinion expressed on 19 June 1992)
• Food irradiation: use in relation to Camembert cheeses (Opinion expressed on 19 June 1992)

Thirty-first Series (1993) (Cat. N° CO-80-93-242-DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT-C) - (View report)

• Nutrient and Energy Intakes for the European Community (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1992)

Thirtieth Series (1993) (Cat. N° EUR 14769 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Third addendum to the first report of the scientific committee for food on certain monomers and other starting substances to be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. (Opinion expressed 19th June 1991)

Twenty-ninth Series (1992) (Cat. N° EUR 14482 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Second report on extraction solvents. (adopted on 21 June 1991)
• Recommendation on ammonium chloride in liquorice products. (Opinion expressed on 11 October 1991)
• Recommendation on glycyrrhizin in liquorice products. (Opinion expressed on 11 October 1991)
• Guidelines for the evaluation of flavourings for use in foodstuffs:
• 1. Chemically defined flavouring substances. (Opinion expressed on 10 December 1991)

Twenty-eighth Series (1993) (Cat. N° EUR 14452 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Report on infant formulae claimed to be "hypoallergenic" or "hypoantigenic". (adopted on 9 December 1991)
• Second addendum concerning the essential requirements of infant formulae and follow-up milks based on cows'milk proteins and the mineral requirements for soya-based infant formulae and follow-up milks (adopted on 9 December 1991)
• Report on foods for particular nutritional uses whose sodium content has been modified. Low sodium foods and salt substitutes (adopted on 9 December 1991)

Twenty-seventh Series (1992) (Cat. N° EUR 14181 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Foods intended for weight control diets (Opinion expressed on 19 October 1990)
• Guidelines for the presentation of data on food enzymes (Opinion expressed on 11 April 1991)
• Recommendation on cyclamates (Opinion expressed on 21 June 1991)
• Report on the risks of hypervitaminosis A (Opinion expressed on 21 June 1991)

Twenty-sixth Series (1992) (Cat. N° EUR 13913 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Second series of Food Additives of Various Technological Functions (Opinion expressed on 19 October 1990)
• Nitrates and Nitrites (Opinion expressed on 19 October 1990)
• Health Aspects of the release of Lead from Capsules for Wine (Opinion expressed on 7 December 1989)
• Toxicity of Lead and Cadmium in Ceramics (Opinion expressed on 7 December 1989)
• Guidelines for Presentation of Data for Toxicological Evaluation of a Substance to be Used in Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 18 May 1990)

Twenty-Fifth Series (1991) (Cat. N° EUR 13416 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• First Series of Food Additives of Various Technological Functions (Opinion expressed on 18 May 1990)

Twenty-fourth Series (1991) (Cat. N° EUR 13140 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• First Addendum (Opinion expressed on 27 October 1989) to the Reports of the Scientific Committee for Food concerning

• The Essential Requirements of Infant Formulae and Follow-up Milks based on Cows'Milk Proteins (Opinion expressed on 27 April 1983)
• The Minimum Requirements for Soya-based Infant Formulae and Follow-up Milks (Opinion expressed on 9 December 1988)

• First Report of the Scientific Committee for Food concerning

• The Essential Requirements for Weaning Foods (Opinion expressed on 27 October 1989 and 30 March 1990)

Twenty-third Series (1989) (Cat. N° EUR 12536 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• The minimum requirements for Soya-based infant formulea and follow-up milk (Opinion expressed on 9 December 1988)

Twenty-second Series (1989) (Cat. N° EUR 12535 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Antioxidants (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1987)

Twenty-first Series (1989) (Cat. N° EUR 11617 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Colouring Matters (Opinion expressed on 10 December 1987)
• Sweeteners (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1987 and 10 November 1988)
• Quinine (Opinion expressed on 19 February 1988)
• Emusifiers, stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents (Opinion expressed on 11 November 1988)

Twentieth Series (1989) (Cat. N° EUR 11558 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• Reports on

Second Addendum to the first Report of the Scientific Committee for Food on certain monomers and other starting substances to be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (adopted on 10 December 1987)- first add. 19 ^th series of SCF reports

Opinion on

• Nitrosamines in babies dummies and teats (Opinion expressed on 10 December 1987)

Nineteenth Series (1988) (Cat. N° EUR 11322 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

• First Addendum to the first report of the Scientific Committee for Food on certain monomers and other starting substances to be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 28 November 1986) - first report of the SCF 17 ^th series -

Eighteenth Series (1986)(1989) (Cat. N° EUR 10840 -DA-DE-EN-ES-GR-FR-IT-NL-PT) - (View report)

(The English version of 1989 of this publication replaces the published version of 1986)

• Irradiated Foods (Opinion expressed on 13 March 1986)

Seventeenth Series (1986) (Cat. N° EUR 10778 -DA-DE-EN-GR-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Certain monomers and other starting substances to be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 14 December 1984)

Sixteenth Series (1985) (Cat. N° EUR 10210 -DA-DE-EN-GR-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Sweeteners (Opinion expressed on 14 September 1984)

Fifteenth Series (1984) (Cat. N° EUR 9357 -DA-DE-EN-GR-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Emusifiers, stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents (Opinion expressed on 8 July 1983)

Fourteenth Series (1984) (Cat. N° EUR 8752 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate and Di-2-ethylhexyladipate (Opinion expressed on 1 October 1982)
• Certain Anabolic Agents used in animal Production (Opinion expressed on 3/4 February 1983)
• Essential Requirements of Infant Formulae and Follow-up Milks based on Cows milk proteins (Opinion expressed on 27 April 1983)
• Butylated Hydroxyanisole (Opinion expressed on 29 April 1983)
• Caffeine (Opinion expressed on 7 July 1983)
• Colouring Matters authorized for use in Foodstuffs intended for Human Consumption (Opinion expressed on 7 July 1983)

Thirteenth Series (1982) (Cat. N° EUR 7982 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Acrylonitrile monomer (Opinion expressed on 15 January 1981)
• Vinylidene chloride monomer (2nd report) (Opinion expressed on 15 January 1981)
• Hydrolised lecithin (Opinion expressed 12 June 1981)
• Modified starches (2nd report) (Opinion expressed 12 June 1981)
• Flavourings (2nd report) (Opinion expressed on 11 December 1981)
• Styrene monomer (Opinion expressed on 5 March 1982)

Twelfth Series (1982) (Cat. N° EUR 7823 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Sensitivity of individuals to food components and food additives (Opinion expressed on 22 October 1981)

Eleventh Series (1981) (Cat. N° EUR 7421 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Extraction solvents (Opinion expressed on 15 January 1981)
• Sulphiting agents (Opinion expressed on 15 January 1981)

Tenth Series (1980) (Cat. N° EUR 6892 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Guidelines for the safety assessment of food additives (Opinion expressed on 22 February 1980)

Ninth Series (October 1979) (Cat. N° CB-NW-79-009-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Flavourings (Opinion expressed on 21 September 1979)
• Asbestos (Opinion expressed on 31 October 1979)
• Natamycin (Opinion expressed on 31 October 1979)

Eight Series (May 1979) (Cat. N° CB-28-79-827-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Use of certain emulsifiers in chocolate and related products (Opinion expressed on 7 February 1979)
• Certain colouring matters for use in food (Opinion expressed on 23 March 1979)

Seventh Series (December 1978) (Cat. N° CB-NW-78-007-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents (Opinion expressed on 30 November 1978)

Sixth Series (October 1978) (Cat. N° CB-NW-78-006-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Second Report of the Scientific Committee for food on thiabendazole (Opinion expressed on 23rd June 1978)
• Positive list of substances to be authorized in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose films intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 28th September 1978)

Fifth Series (May 1978) (Cat. N° CB-AH-78-005-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Elements of information given to the Commission on the use of additives for which no acceptable daily intake has been allowed (Opinion expressed on 16 March 1978)
• Provisions relating to additives and processing aids in the draft proposal for a Council Directive concerning the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to fine bakers 'wares, rusks, pastries and biscuits (Opinion expressed on 1 May 1978)

Fourth Series (December 1977) (Cat. N° CB-AH-77-004-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Saccharin (Opinion expressed 24th June 1977)
• Calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate (Opinion expressed on 24 June 1977)
• Colouring matters (Opinion expressed on 16 September 1977)
• Formaldehyde in "Grana Padano" Cheese (Opinion expressed on 20 October 1977)

Third Series (January 1977) (Cat. N° CB-AH-77-001-EN-C -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Toxicological evaluation of a substance for materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Opinion expressed on 1st October 1976)

Second Series (December 1976) (Cat. N° 8843 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Amaranth (Opinion expressed on 27 February 1976)
• Some chemically modified starches (Opinion expressed on 27 February 1976)
• Research necessary on long chain fatty acids and oils and fats used in food (Opinion expressed on 2 April 1976)
• Thiabendazole (Opinion expressed on 2 April 1976)
• Propyl gallate (Opinion expressed on 2 July 1976)

First Series (December 1975) (Cat.N 8801 -DA-DE-EN-FR-IT-NL) - (View report)

• Sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, potassium nitrite and potassium propionate (Opinion expressed on 15 November 1974)
• Mercury in food (Opinion expressed on 16 November 1974)
• Rapeseed oils (Opinion expressed on 16 November 1974)
• Revision of the Directive on colouring matters authorized for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption (Opinion expressed on 27 June 1975)
• Vinyl chloride monomer (Opinion expressed on 27 June 1975)
• Ethoxyquin (Opinion expressed on 13 November 1975)

Opinions

Minutes