Codex Adopts Additives at IADSA’s Advised Levels 

06/07/07 Nine additives widely used in food supplements have been finally adopted by Codex at levels proposed by the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA).

Castor Oil, Polysorbates, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame, Cyclamates, Neotame, Saccharin and Sucralose have all been adopted as part of the official Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) at IADSA’s recommended levels of use in food supplement products.

The result, which came at this week’s Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome, follows an active campaign by IADSA members to share scientific and technical information with their various national ministry officials supporting the final adoption of these additives.

“This is an excellent result,” said David Pineda, IADSA Manager of Regulatory Affairs. “The adoption of these additives will help to ensure free trade in dietary supplements across the world and encourage countries to change legislation that is not in conformity with these Codex standards.”

The approved levels are: Castor Oil (1,000 mg/kg), Polysorbates (25,000 mg/kg), Polyvinyl Alcohol (45,000 mg/kg), Acesulfame Potassium (2,000 mg/kg), Aspartame (5,500 mg/kg), Cyclamates (1,250 mg/kg), Neotame (90 mg/kg), Saccharin (1,200 mg/kg), and Sucralose (2,400 mg/kg). An additional 13 additives including the sweetener aspartame-acesulfame salt and colours are due to be considered for inclusion next year.

Last year IADSA managed to prevent the deletion of four additives (Iron oxides, Castor oil, Chlorophylls/copper complexes and Erythrosine) at meetings of both the Codex Additives Committee and the Codex Commission, and successfully raised the levels of an additional three – BHA, BHT and Carnauba wax.