EU FOODS TO BE FREE OF TRANS FATS

The Commission has adopted the Regulation restricting the presence of trans fat in foods. The prohibition applies to foods intended to be sold to final consumers as well as food intended for supply to retail. The Regulation requires the content of trans fat, other than fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin, to not exceed 2 grams per 100 grams of fat. Food which does not comply with this Regulation may continue to be placed on the market until 1 April 2021. In line with the European labelling information rules, food business operators need to take appropriate measures to inform other operators they supply to in case their foods and raw materials exceed 2 grams of trans fat per 100 grams of fat.

The Restriction follows from the EFSA scientific opinion of 4 December 2009 which recommended to keep the intake of trans fatty acids as low as possible because of the link with an increased  risk  of  coronary  heart  disease. In a succesive report, the European Commission concluded that from the public health measures available – inter alia the labelling of trans fat content, voluntary initiatives by the food industry, Member States initiatives, a EU legal limit was to be the most effective measure.

The restriction will be listed among the restricted substance in Regulation 1925/2006 of 20 December 2006 on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods.

Besides, the Commission decided to update the status of Yohimbe bark in the latter Regulation. Due to uncertainty regarding the safety of Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum) Pierre ex Beille) and its preparations in foods, the substance was placed under EU scrutiny in 2015. Since that time, no scientific evidence has been submitted that would demonstrate the safety of Yohimbe and its preparations making the substance will be prohibited for use in foods.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2019/650 of 24 April 2019 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum) Pierre ex Beille) - link

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/649 of 24 April 2019 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin - link