Chr. Hansen Welcomes New EU Guidance Notes on Coloring Foodstuffs

11 Dec 2013 --- The EU Commission has endorsed a new set of guidelines for coloring foodstuffs, an E number free alternative to natural colors. The EU Guidance Notes, which include clear principles as to what will classify as a coloring foodstuff, are effective from January 1st 2014 and by November 28th 2015 no new food products can be launched containing non-compliant coloring foodstuffs.

The new guidelines are a great step forward and represent a good business opportunity for Chr. Hansen. Chr. Hansen’s coloring foodstuffs customers can rest assured that the FruitMax products will comply with the EU Guidance Notes.

“We have carefully followed the revision process to ensure compliance with the EU Guidance Notes and it is with great pleasure that we can confirm to our customers that our popular FruitMax coloring foodstuffs will comply fully with the EU Guidance Notes. Further, FruitMax offers effective alternatives to some of the current market solutions which no longer comply, for example most of the oleoresin-based coloring foodstuffs. We will of course offer full technical and regulatory support to our customers in this change process,” says Chr. Hansen’s Luc Ganivet, Senior Director, Natural Colors Division.

“This is great news for consumers, the food industry as well as the coloring foodstuffs suppliers as the EU Guidance Notes clarify a field where some uncertainty has existed due to the lack of 100% clear guidelines from the authorities. Now there is a clear EU definition to distinguish between food color additives and coloring foodstuffs,” says Luc Ganivet.

“This is very encouraging for consumers who are looking for more naturality and transparency and for industry players who now have a clear environment with same rules for all. We see this as a strong business opportunity for Chr. Hansen. We are the leading supplier of natural color solutions to the global food industry and, in line with our strategy “Nature’s No. 1”, it is our intention to become the leading supplier of coloring foodstuffs solutions.”

Chr. Hansen will take active part in establishing the Annex III of the Guidance Notes (containing reference values for the source materials).