Regulation No. 160/2012 on extraction solvents for use in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients.

This regulation lays down rules on extraction solvents used or intended for use in the production of foodstuffs or food ingredients. It defines solvents and extraction solvents, assigns responsibility to domestic producers and importers for ensuring compliance, and permits only the substances listed in Annex I, subject to specified conditions of use and maximum residue limits where applicable. It also requires extraction solvents not to contain dangerous levels of toxic substances or more than 1 mg/kg of arsenic or lead, and sets labelling requirements for solvents placed on the market, including product name, suitability for food extraction, batch identification, operator details, net quantity, and any storage or use conditions. The annex lists permitted general-use solvents such as propane, butane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, carbon dioxide, acetone and nitrous oxide, as well as solvents subject to specific limits, including hexane, 2-methyloxolane, methyl acetate, ethyl methyl ketone, dichloromethane, dimethyl ether, methanol and propan-2-ol. The regulation provides for official control by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority and municipal health committees and is based on EU rules on extraction solvents.