WRITTEN QUESTION E-0119/01

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Possible health risks of flavour enhancers E621 and E632 (glutamate)

There are regular reports in the media on serious health complaints (headache, rashes, dizziness and insomnia) which may be connected with the consumption of food containing flavour enhancers. The reports refer to E621, E631 and E632 (monosodium glutamate or vetsin).

Is the Commission aware of these reports?

Have the side-effects of these substances, as mentioned above, been taken into account in any decisions concerning these substances? What were the conclusions concerning the side-effects?

Does the Commission intend to investigate the possible harmful effects of the substances in question or take any action? If so, when? If not, why not?

Anwer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2001)

Monosodium glutamate (E 621) is authorised according to the Community legislation for use in foodstuffs in general with a maximum level of 10 gram per kilogram (g/kg); disodium and dipotassium inosinate (E 631 and E 632) are authorised for use in seasonings and condiments according to good manufacturing practice. These substances have undergone, as with all food additives, a safety evaluation by the Scientific Committee on Food prior to their authorisation.

In particular, monosodium glutamate and the so-called Chinese restaurant syndrome were evaluated within the report on adverse reactions to food and food ingredients by the Scientific Committee on Food in 1995.

In this report, it is stated that tests on individuals who identify themselves as suffering from the syndrome have often failed to confirm the role of monosodium glutamate as the provocative agent. Moreover, these substances are widely distributed in all animal and plant tissues.

Therefore, the Commission sees no need to revise the legislation in force on glutamates and inosinates in the current situation, but will, as a matter of course, keep the situation under review in the light of scientific progress in this, as in any other area.