26. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 105/25 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending for the 14th time Directive 
64/54/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the 
preservatives authorized for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption 
(Doc. COM(78) 488 final) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 247 of 18 October 1978, page 8. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 17 October 1978 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 163rd 
plenary session held in Brussels on 29 and 30 November 1978. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 17 October 1978 for an 
opinion, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
18 October 1978 instructing the Section for Protection 
of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs 
to draw up an opinion and a report on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion issued by the Section for 
Protection of the Environment, Public Health and 
Consumer Affairs at its meeting held on 21 November 
1978, 
Having regard to the oral report submitted by the 
rapporteur, Mr De Grave, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 163 rd plenary 
session held on 29 and 30 November 1978 (meeting of 
29 November), 
Whereas the utilization of thiabendazole was authorized 
temporarily until 1 January 1979 pending the outcome 
of toxicological investigations; Whereas, following these investigations, the Scientific 
Committee for Food has decided to propose that the 
utilization of thiabendazole at the levels previously laid 
down be authorized definitively; 
Whereas the proposal for a Directive would make the 
provisions on product labelling and consumer 
information mandatory, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The Committee approves the proposal for a 
Directive. It points out that already in its opinion of 
30 June 1976 (*) it has stressed the importance of 
compliance with the provisions on consumer 
information. 
2. The Committee draws attention to the fact that the 
legal situation as regards products used for treating fruit 
and vegetables after harvesting is unclear. Some of these 
products are classed as preservatives, other as pesticides. 
Thus certain fungicides for use on citrus fruit (e.g. 
thiabendazole) are authorized by the Directive whereas 
others which are authorized for use by the Member 
States are not. The Committee trusts that the 
Commission will take up the whole range of products 
used for treating fruit and vegetables at the earliest 
possible opportunity. 
OJ No C 204, 30. 8. 1976. 
Done at Brussels, 29 November 1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fabrizia BADUEL GLORIOSO