Commission Directive 2002/67/EC of 18 July 2002 on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine (Text with EEA relevance)

Commission Directive 2002/67/EC
of 18 July 2002
on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 March 2000, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs(1), as amended by Commission Directive 2001/101/EC(2), and in particular Article 4(2) and (3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Quinine and caffeine are used in the production or preparation of certain foodstuffs, either as a flavouring or, in the case of caffeine, as an ingredient. For most consumers, the consumption of these substances in moderation is unlikely to present any health risks.
(2) According to the conclusions of the Scientific Committee for Food, there is no objection from the point of view of toxicology to the continued use of quinine at a certain maximum level in bitter drinks. However, consumption of quinine may be counter-indicated for certain people for medical reasons, or because they are hypersensitive to the substance.
(3) As far as caffeine is concerned, the Scientific Committee for Food, in its opinion of 21 January 1999 on caffeine and other substances used as ingredients in "energy drinks", concluded that, for adults, apart from pregnant women, the contribution of "energy drinks" to the total consumption of caffeine did not appear to be a cause for concern, assuming that "energy drinks" replace other sources of caffeine. However, for children, an increase in the daily intake of caffeine to a certain level of consumption per day may bring about temporary changes in behaviour, such as increased excitability, irritability, nervousness or anxiety. In addition, for pregnant women, the Committee's view is that moderation of caffeine intake is advisable.
(4) These findings make it necessary to provide labelling which gives the consumer clear information on the presence or otherwise of quinine or caffeine in a foodstuff and, in the case of caffeine, to provide a warning message and an indication of the amount of caffeine, where this is in excess of a specific level, in beverages which do not naturally contain caffeine.
(5) Directive 2000/13/EC does not provide for compulsory and specific mention of flavourings in the list of ingredients. Quinine or caffeine, used as a flavouring, might as a result not be listed by name in the ingredients. Moreover, even where caffeine is mentioned as such in the list of ingredients, there is no requirement to indicate whether the level is high.
(6) Some Member States have enacted national legislation making it compulsory to mention the presence of quinine and/or caffeine on the labels of foodstuffs which contain these substances, in certain cases also stating the amount of caffeine, with a warning. The existence and application of different national legislation causes technical problems for intra-Community trade in the foodstuffs concerned.
(7) It is therefore necessary, with a view to providing information for all consumers throughout the Community and to facilitating the free movement of the products in question, to introduce harmonised provisions to apply to foodstuffs containing quinine and those containing caffeine. These provisions must make it necessary to include compulsory particulars on the label in addition to those set out in Directive 2000/13/EC.
(8) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,