Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/2/12

26 July 2003

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 199/2003

European Union (EU)* : Directive on the Conditions of
Use for a Food Additive E 425 Konjac

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 83/2002 of 23 April 2002, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted a Directive to prohibit the use of a food additive E 425 konjac in jelly confectionery. Member States are required to put the Directive into force before 17 January 2004. Details are set out in Directive 2003/52/EC (the Directive), a copy of which is attached (pdf format)to this circular for reference.

DETAILS

2. Commercial Information Circular No. 83/2002 informed the trade, among other things, of a Decision of the European Commission on a temporary suspension of the use of E 425 konjac in jelly confectionery. The measure was deemed necessary in order to ensure a high level of consumer protection. In line with the Decision, the EU authorities have now adopted the Directive to withdraw permanently the authorisation of the use of E 425 konjac in jelly confectionery including jelly-mini cups.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries about the contents of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sandra SOU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.