Food and beverage chemicals and ingredients

Food additives are regulated by positive lists. In the EU, additives need an E number and approval for each food category, in the US they need food additive approval or GRAS status, and other countries follow the Codex Alimentarius or their own national rules. Maximum levels, labelling and permitted forms differ between markets, so a formula that complies in one country may need changes for another. Purity specifications come from the EU additive specifications, the Food Chemicals Codex and JECFA monographs.

Food buyers also expect strong supplier controls. Typical requirements include certification to a food safety scheme such as FSSC 22000, BRCGS or ISO 22000, allergen, GMO and irradiation statements, halal and kosher certificates, country of origin, heavy metal and microbiological results, and traceability from raw material to batch. Clean label trends have increased demand for natural colours, natural flavours, fermentation-derived ingredients and plant-based emulsifiers and thickeners. When you post a request, give the additive name and E or INS number if known, the grade and specification, packaging, the certificates you need and the volume. Suppliers that list food grade products can then reply with matching offers and documents.