Acacia Gum Gets 'Fibre' Labeling

Following extensive lobbying, in October 2007 the UKFSA (United Kingdom Food Safety Authority) ruled that acacia gum does not fall under the novel food regulation as it was used as a food ingredient prior to 1997.

09/04/08 Novel food regulations (EC 258/97) has been a major area of discussion between the European Parliament, European member states and the food industry for some time. "Novel foods" generally refer to ingredients that were not commercialised in the EU before 15 May 1997. Foods which are classified as "novel" must undergo a lengthy pre-commercial safety assessment and authorisation process before being allowed to go on sale in the European Union.

Following extensive lobbying, in October 2007 the UKFSA (United Kingdom Food Safety Authority) ruled that acacia gum does not fall under the novel food regulation as it was used as a food ingredient prior to 1997. The new regulations alter the status of acacia gum from a food additive to a food ingredient.  Under the new ruling acacia gum can be labelled as ‘Acacia Gum (Fibre)’ on ingredient declarations, which augment acacia gums clean label status and clearly highlights its fibre fortification capabilities. The new ruling is also being supported by the EC working group on food additives (February, 2007). The European Commission is expected to publish an updated list of permissible ingredient declarations in the first half of 2008, following which the new regulations for acacia gum will come into effect.

Kerry Ingredients is one of the leading global suppliers of gum acacia to the food and beverage industry. Kerry said that the changes to ingredient declarations announced by the UKFSA add to the already significant number of benefits associated with Kerry’s nutritional acacia gum range, EmulGold and PreVitae.