Food improvement agents applications

Overview and procedure

EFSA evaluates the safety of regulated food improvement agents before they can be authorised for use on the European market. Food improvement agents are chemical substances which are used as food additives, food enzymes, flavourings and smoke flavourings added to food. EFSA assesses the safety of new substances and of new proposed uses for currently authorised substances.

There are different application procedures and technical requirements for the various food improvement agents.

1. Applications for food additives, food enzymes, flavourings (excluding smoke flavouring primary products) and extraction solvents are submitted to the European Commission. Different procedures exist.
2. Smoke flavouring primary products applications are submitted to the national competent authority of a Member State.

Webinar: Application procedure for food enzymes, food flavourings and food additives

Webinar on smoke flavourings