S.I. No. 186/1985 - Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations, 1985.

S.I. No. 186 of 1985.

HEALTH (EMULSIFIERS, STABILISERS, THICKENING AND GELLING AGENTS IN FOOD) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1985.

In exercise of the powers vested in the Minister for Health by sections 3 , 5 , 54 and 59 of the Health Act, 1947 (No. 28 of 1947), sub-section (3) of section 38 of the Health Act, 1953 (No. 26 of 1953) and section 6 of the Health Act, 1970 (No. 1 of 1970), which said powers are delegated to me by the Health (Delegation of Functions) Order, 1984 ( S.I. No. 4 of 1984 ), I, JOHN F. DONNELLAN, Minister of State at the Department of Health, after consultation with the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism and the Minister for Agriculture, hereby make the following Regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) (Amendment) Regulations, 1985.

2. Part II of Schedule 1 to the Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) Regulations, 1980 ( S.I. No. 35 of 1980 ), as amended by the Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents) (Amendment) Regulations, 1982, is hereby amended:

(1) By the deletion, under E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404 and E 405, of the entries relating to insoluble matter (in dilute NaOH);

(2) By the deletion, under E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404 and E 405, of the words "Not more than 0.5%", which are opposite the words "Acid-insoluble ash (insoluble in approx. 3N hydrochloric acid)", and the substitution therefor of the words "Not more than 2%";

(3) By the insertion, between E 414 and E 420 (i), of the following:—

"E 415 Xanthan gum

Chemical

description:

Xanthan gum is a high molecular weight polysaccharide gum produced by pure-culture fermentation of a carbohydrate with Xanthomonas campestris, purified by recovery with ethanol or isopropanol, dried and milled. It contains D-glucose and D-mannose as the dominant hexose units, along with D-glucuronic acid and pyruvic acid, and is prepared as the sodium, potassium or calcium salt. Its solutions are neutral.

Description:

Cream-coloured powder.

Content:

Xanthan gum yields, on a volatile matter-free basis, not less than 4.2% and not more than 5.0% of carbon dioxide.

Volatile matter:

Not more than 15% determined by drying at 105° C for 2½ hours.

Ash:

Not more than 16% on a volatile matter-free basis determined at 600° C after drying at 105° C for 4 hours.

Pyruvic acid:

Not less than 1.5%.

Nitrogen:

Not more than 1.5%.

Isopropanol:

Not more than 750 mg/kg.

Microbiological criteria:

Viable cells of Xanthomonas campestris shall be absent.";

(4) By the deletion of the number "E 460" and the insertion therefor of the number "E 460 (i).";

(5) By the insertion, between E 460 (i) and E 461, of the following:

"E 460 (ii) Powdered cellulose

Chemical description:

Powdered cellulose is purified mechanically distintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha-cellulose obtained directly from fibrous plant material. It has a molecular weight of 1.6 x 10⁵ or greater.

Description:

A white, odourless powder.

Content:

Not less than 92% (C₁₂ H₂₀ O₁₀)_n.

Volatile matter:

Not more than 7% determined by drying at 105° C for 3 hours.

pH:

Shake about 5 g with 40 ml of carbon-dioxide-free water for 20 minutes and centrifuge. The pH of the supernatant liquid is between 5.0 and 7.5.

Sulphated ash:

Not more than 0.3% determined at 800 ‡ 25° C.

Water-soluble substances:

Not more than 1%.";

(6) By the deletion, under E 474, of the last sentence of the text of the entry relating to chemical description, and the substitution therefor of the words:

"No organic solvents shall be used in their preparation other than cyclohexane, dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate, isobutanol and isopropanol.";

(7) By addition, under E 474, of the following matter, after the text of the entry relating to methanol content:

"Total cyclohexane and isobutanol content:

Not more than 10mg/kg singly or in combination";

(8) By the deletion, under E 477, of the words "Not more than 4%", in the text of the entry relating to dimer and trimer of propane – 1, 2 – diol, and the substitution therefore of the words: "Not more than 0.5%".

3. These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of August, 1985.

Signed this 27th day of June 1985.

JOHN F. DONNELLAN,

Minister of State at the Department of

Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations amend Part II of Schedule I to the Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling Agents in Food) Regulations, 1980 ( S.I. No. 35 of 1980 ), as amended by the Health (Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickening and Gelling (Agents) Regulations, 1982 ( S.I. No. 273 of 1982 ), which prescribes specific purity criteria for permitted emulsifiers and stabilisers, by—

( a ) amending the purity criteria for substances E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404 and E 405 (Alginic acid and its salts), E 474 (Sucroglycerides) and E 477 (Propane —1, 2 — diol esters of food fatty acids);

( b ) inserting purity criteria for E 415 (Xanthan gum);

( c ) changing the E number of E 460 (Microcrystalline cellulose) to E 460 (i);

( d ) inserting purity criteria for E 460 (ii) (Powdered cellulose).

The Regulations implement EEC Council Directive 82/504/EEC of 12 July 1982 (OJ No. L 230, pages 35-37).

The Regulations come into force on 1 August, 1985.