These Regulations regulate the use of food additives in food intended for human use. They shall apply to all food additives other than colours, sweeteners, flavourings and flour treatment agents. They are made so as to complement the Additives in Food Regulations 1994.
Regulation 3 contains a long list of definitions of additives. Only substances listed in the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules to these Regulations may be used in foodstuffs for purposes included in the definitions of regulation 3. They must satisfy purity criteria laid down by Commission Directive 96/77/EC. Other purity criteria are established in Schedule 7. Schedule I specifies food additives generally permitted for use in foodstuffs which are not listed in the Second Schedule, which lists foodstuffs in which only a limited number of additives of the First Schedule may be used. Schedule III lists "conditionally permitted" preservatives and antioxidants. Schedules IV and V list other permitted additives, whereas Schedule VI specifies additives permitted in food for infants and young children.