No C 248/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 17.9.84 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending for the third time Directive 
74/329/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to emulsi-
fiers, stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents for use in foodstuffs 
(84/C 248/15) 
On 27 January 1984 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Commit­
tee, under Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
on the abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs, 
which was responsible for preparing the work on the matter, adopted its opinion on 
12 June 1984 in the light of the report by Mrs A. Williams. 
At its 218th plenary session (meeting of 4 July 1984), the Economic and Social Com­
mittee adopted the following opinion unanimously: 
The Committee approves the proposal for a Council 
Directive but has the following observations to 
make: 
1. General comments 1.4.1. Consequently the Committee draws atten­
tion to the fact that each additive is currently being 
authorized in isolation and asks the Commission to 
bear in mind the implications of any possible cumu­
lative adverse effects of such individual authoriza­
tions. 
1.1. Once again the Committee considers public 
health and safety as its prime concern, and stresses 
the importance of the continuing need for special 
care in dealing with the increasing number of food 
additives in general as well as in the rigorous assess­
ment of the effects of accepted daily intakes (ADI). 
1.2. The Committee reaffirms its interest in this 
subject as expressed in the three previous opinions 
on the matter and in particular in the last opinion 
issued in July 1979 which made specific reference to 
most of the substances currently under discus-
sion('). 
1.3. The Committee takes notice also of the obser­
vations of the Working Group of the Advisory Com­
mittee on Foodstuffs which has agreed the Commis­
sion's proposal in principle. 
1.4. The Committee has already pointed out in its 
opinion of July 1979 and now reaffirms that one of 
the fundamental criteria to be applied when autho­
rizing additives for use has to be their harmlessness. 
The additives so authorized must also be necessary 
and useful and then must not bring about a reduc­
tion in food qualitiy. 2. Specific comments 
2.1. Tragacanth gum (E 413) 
2.1.1. In its 1979 opinion the Committee noted that 
this substance was only temporarily acceptable, that 
it should thus be transferred from Annex I (autho­
rized substances) to Annex II (temporarily autho­
rized substances), and that no views had been ex­
pressed on related allergy problems. The Committee 
reaffirms its observations as stated at that time. 
2.1.2. The Committee notes that according to the 
Scientific Committee for Food the use of tragacanth 
gum is acceptable from the point of view of public 
health until the current studies are completed. Un­
der these circumstances it accepts the extension of 
the deadline for a Council decision until 31 Decem­
ber 1987, as proposed by the Commission, but is 
concerned that this delay lengthens the period of 
uncertainty for consumers, which is undesirable. It 
would therefore like to see this deadline brought for­
ward if the results of the studies in progress so per­
mit. 
(') OJ No C 144, 8. 11. 1969, (opinion of 25 September 
1969), OJ No C 59, 8. 3. 1978 (opinion of 23 November 
1977) and OJ No C 247, 1. 10. 1979 (opinion of 18 July 
1969). 2.2. Karaya gum (E 416) 
2.2.1. In its 1979 opinion the Committee noted that 
this substance was not acceptable for use on the 
17. 9. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/29 
basis of the data then available, but that the Scien­
tific Committee for Food would be prepared to 
reclassify it if studies then under way justified this 
procedure. 
2.2.2. The Committee recognizes that the Scientific 
Committee for Food is now of the opinion that fol­
lowing further research a more extensive authoriza­
tion of this substance may be allowed, and that it 
can be transferred from Annex II (temporarily au­
thorized) to Annex I (authorized). 
2.3. Polyoxyethylenes (E 432 to E 436) 
In its 1979 opinion the Committee noted that seven 
polyoxyethylenes were being reassessed by the 
Scientific Committee for Food, and it notes that the 
Done at Brussels, 4 July 1984. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. Floriculture has assumed considerable impor­
tance within the Community. It has a turnover in Scientific Committee for Food considers that five of 
these are now acceptable for inclusion in Annex I: 
2.4. Pectin (E 440a) and amidated pectin (E 440b) 
2.4.1. In its previous opinions the Committee did 
not specifically refer to these substances, but the first 
amendment (78/612/EEC) to the original Directive 
(74/329/EEC) contained specific provision to cover 
a possible change in status of these products. 
2.4.2. The Committee notes that while there has 
been some disagreement on the desirability of merg­
ing E440a and E 440b under one number E 440, 
recent toxicological investigations have shown that 
these two substances can be considered as equiva­
lent. The Working Group of the Advisory Commit­
tee on Foodstuffs agrees to the Commission pro­
posal and the Committee also accepts this view­
point. 
The Chairman 
of the 
Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
excess of 5 000 million ECU and a workforce of 
around 300 000. Market policy must focus on pre­
venting disruption of the market and/or rapid ac­
tion to stem any disruption which does occur. Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation laying down further provisions in rela­
tion to Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 in respect of certain floricultural products(0 
(84/C 248/16) 
On 24 February 1984 the Council, acting under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty estab­
lishing the European Economic Community, consulted the Economic and Social 
Committee on the proposal for a Council Regulation laying down further provisions 
in relation to Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 in respect of certain floricultural pro­
ducts. 
The Section for Agriculture, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's 
work on the subject, adopted its revised opinion on 14 June 1984 in the light of Mr van 
der Veen's oral report. 
At its 218th plenary session (meeting of 5 July 1984), the Economic and Social Com­
mittee adopted the following opinion by 90 votes to four with seven abstentions. 
(') OJ No C 54, 25. 2. 1984, p. 6.