Safety and Legal Status of Pectins
Pectin is generally
regarded as an extremely safe food additive, and its composition and
use is regulated under Food Additive law. It is also recognised under
the international Codex Alimentarius. Some particular references are
as follows:
FAO/WHO - Codex
Alimentarius
Pectins
have been given an acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of "not specified"
by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and
are listed on that basis in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives.
The current Codex specification for pectins is available at the JECFA
Website. The specification includes a new identity test for pectins,
using a pure pectate lyase, now available from megazyme.com.
European Union
Pectin (E440 (i)) and Amidated Pectin (E440 (ii)) have both been given
an ADI "not specified" by the Scientific Committee for Food.
Specifications are listed in Commission Directive 98/86/EC of 11th
November 1998, published in Volume 41, Issue L334 of the Official
Journal. Pectins may be used under "quantum satis" conditions
in most foods, except those specifically restricted under Directive
95/2/EC of 20th February 1995 on Food Additives other than Colours
and Sweeteners.
As natural polymers and chemically modified natural polymers, pectins are exempt from REACH registration. (Only relevant for industrial, personal care and household applications). See also IPPA Position Paper on Pectins under the REACH Regulation.
United States
The FDA recognises pectin as GRAS (generally recognised as safe).
It may be used in all non-standardised foods. The pectin specification of the Food Chemical Codex is updated on a regular basis; the effective version can be found in the current edition.
In addition, IPPA
publishes its own specification
for pectins produced by its members.
