News and Insights

Uruguay Launches Consultations on MERCOSUR Resolutions on Food Additives and Food Contaminants

August 24, 2023

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On 20 July 2023 the Ministry of Health of Uruguay launched public consultations on the adoption of two MERCOSUR resolutions that incorporate new food additives in some food categories. It also opened a public consultation on a MERCOSUR resolution that adopts the definition of food contaminants. The public consultations will remain open until 23 September 2023.

3E Review

Draft Resolution No. 03/23 approves MERCOSUR/LXXXIII SGT No. 3/P. RES. No. 03/23, which includes the beta-carotene additive of blakeslea trispora, INS 160a(iii), with the coloring function and a limit of 0.005 g/100 g, in some subcategories of the following food categories: 5 confitures, 19 desserts, 3 ice creams, and 13 sauces and spices.

Draft Resolution No. 04/23 adopts MERCOSUR/LXXXIV SGT No. 3/P. Res. No. 04/23, which amends Resolutions GMC No. 50/97, 53/98, 54/98, 16/00, 51/00, 08/06, and 09/07 to add the additive carmine, INS 120, with the coloring function and a limit of 0.02 g/100 g, in some subcategories of the food category 7 bakery and galette products. It also adds the additive calcium carbonate, INS 170(i), in various functions in some subcategories of the following food categories: 5 confections, 12 soups and broths, 2 culinary industrial preparations, and 13 sauces and condiments. Finally, it adds the additive mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, INS 471, with glazing function with a limit of 0.03 g/100 g, in the food category 6 cereals and cereal-based products, subcategory 6.1 processed cereals.

Draft Resolution No. 06/23 adopts MERCOSUR/LXXXIV SGT No. 3/P. RES. No. 06/23 to amend Resolution GMC No. 31/92 and define a food contaminant as any unwanted substance, not intentionally added to food and which is present as a result of primary production, industrialization, processing, preparation, treatment, packaging, transport or storage, or as a result of environmental contamination.

3E Analysis

Entities that produce, process, import, and market food should be aware of these proposed changes. Comments should be sent to consulta.publicas@miem.gub.uy by 23 September 2023.