European Parliament and Council Directive No. 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners.

The present Directive, which represents a specific Directive within the meaning of Directive 89/107/EEC, shall apply to additives other than colours, sweeteners and flour treatment agents. Article 1 (3) lays down several definitions (such as preservatives , antioxidants , acids , acidity regulators , etc.) with a view to precisely defining the application scope of the Directive. For the purposes of these provisions, the substances referred to in article 1 (5) are not considered additives. Only additives which meet the requirements laid down by the Scientific Committee for Food may be used in foodstuffs. In particular, only the substances listed out in Annexes I, III, IV and V may be used in foodstuffs for the purposes described in the above-mentioned article 1 (3). This Directive shall also apply to the corresponding foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses in accordance with Directive 89/398/EEC. The following six Annexes are attached: (I) Food additives generally permitted for use in foodstuffs not referred in article 2 (3); (II) Foodstuffs in which a limited number of additives of Annex I may be used; (III) Conditionally permitted preservatives and antioxidants; (IV) Other permitted additives; (V) Permitted carriers and carrier solvents; (VI) Food additives permitted in foods for infants and young children.