Positive list and Negative list
The positive list is the list of authorized additives with an indication, for each, of the use cases and the maximum permitted doses. The positive list is drawn up by the Health Administration, in agreement with the other interested Administrations (Ministries of Agriculture and Forests, of Industry ...) and with the organizations of additive and food producers. The collaboration of the associations that aim to defend the consumer is also indispensable.
The positive list is an effective tool for consumer protection, which is put in the condition, thanks to the statement on the label, to know the additives used in the various foods and make a choice based on the presence or absence of specific additives; it is also a useful tool for the food industry, which finds it easier to advertise untreated or treated products only with natural additives, such as aromas.
Where the positive list is present and in force, nothing is permitted between additives other than those appearing in the lists. In some cases, special rules allow an allowed additive to not be declared on the label, for example sulfur dioxide in wine making.
The positive list must indicate the purity requirements of the permitted additives, specifying the research and analysis methods for the pure additives and additives in the foods examined. For each molecule whose authorization to use the food is desired, the demonstration of acceptability, that is the entire toxicological experimentation, is the responsibility of the applicant.
The negative list is the list of substances specifically prohibited by current legislation. According to its proponents, all compounds not specifically prohibited would be considered authorized; the burden of proof of acceptability would be borne by the State. Thus all the compounds, even the most toxic ones, would be legitimate until an experimental demonstration of their toxicity.
What is a safe additive?
An additive must be SAFE, ie the consumption of the additive present in the concentration indicated must not present health risks. The maximum quantities of additives indicated by the law guarantee the safety of long-term consumption of the food treated with the additive in question. However, taking some additives can cause allergic reactions and intolerances. In these cases the consumer will have to forgo the consumption of foods treated with these additives.
