GMA Introduces International Food Additives Database

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has rolled out an International Food Additive Database to give industry members easy access to accurate, current regulatory requirements on food additives in importing countries around the world.

“The International Food Additive Database will be an invaluable tool in helping to expand export markets for U.S. specialty and processed food products,” noted Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Washington-based trade organization. “The database will help U.S. exporters ensure the products they are shipping comply with the food additive standards and regulatory requirements in the export market and, by establishing a single global source of food additive standards, it will also help U.S. federal trade officials prevent and eliminate trade barriers to U.S. food products.”

The resource employs the Codex General Standards for Food Additives (GFSA) as its baseline. Developed through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the database will gradually expand over time to include all major export markets for U.S. value-added products. Currently, it includes the food additive regulatory requirements for Codex, China, Korea, Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Japan, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan and Uganda, with additional markets to be added through 2011.

The database’s official public launch was during the Codex Committee on Food Additives in China, this past March.

For more information, visit www.foodadditivedatabase.com.