Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending for the third time Directive 88/344/CEE on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients'
Date: 1996-11-27
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: approximation of laws, consumer protection, environmental protection, foodstuff, solvent













EUR-Lex - 51996AC1385 - EN






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51996AC1385

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending for the third time Directive 88/344/CEE on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients'  


Official Journal C 066 , 03/03/1997 P. 0003 





Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending for the third time Directive 88/344/CEE on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients` (97/C 66/02) On 17 October 1996 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 100 a of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.The Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 8 November 1996. The rapporteur was Mr Gardner, co-rapporteurs were Mr Colombo and Mrs Davison.At its 340th Plenary Session (meeting of 27 November 1996), the Economic and Social Committee adopted, by 97 votes to three, with two abstentions, the following opinion.1. Introduction1.1. It is proposed that technical aspects of permitted solvents can be amended by Committee procedure. These technical aspects are limited to the use, conditions of use and maximum residues.1.2. Two solvents included in Directive 88/344/EEC are proposed for deletion, because no toxicological data has been submitted by industry to the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF).1.3. The residues of hexane in oils and fats produced by using this solvent are reduced from 5 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg because technical advances now permit determination of hexane at this lower level.1.4. The addition of a new solvent is proposed which has been accepted by SCF for extraction of flavours. The residues of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in flavours extracted from herbs and spices are extremely low. The solvent will be used in an ambient temperature process, thereby protecting the delicate flavours. This compound has a long history of use as a propellant gas for asthma inhalers.2. General commentsThe Committee approves the proposal.3. Detailed comments3.1. Article 1.13.1.1. This will enable technical amendments only, to be made by a Committee procedure rather than passing through a new Council directive for each amendment. The present procedure for amendment by a Council and Parliament directive is extremely time-consuming and is becoming increasingly difficult. A Committee procedure allows for timely application of technical changes following evaluations by the SCF.3.1.2. On the other hand, the Committee procedure does not involve the citizens adequately. On balance, the Committee accepts the committee procedure, proposed by the Commission, but insists on prior consultation of the various socio-economic partners represented on the Advisory Committee for Food.3.1.3. It must be emphasized that this amendment relates only to technical changes.4. Article 1.2The deletions and additions are in line with the findings of the Scientific Committee for Food and present needs of users.Brussels, 27 November 1996.The President of the Economic and Social CommitteeTom JENKINS