Croatian regulations in terms of the list and permissibility of dietary additive use are completely aligned with the EU and basic principles of the World Health Organization (Codex Alimentarius). There is no difference between the additives used in Croatia and any other country in the EU.

Regulations as a basis for compatibility and legality of additive use inspection have been aligned with the EU in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2004, according to all changes in EU legislative.

It is important to notice that the EU and Croatia do not consider dietary additives a factor of risk in consumer health. It is, specifically, due to their conscious addition that they are constantly monitored and controlled, therefore, no reason for panic among the consumers exists. The experts from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Croatian Public Health Institute, Croatian Chamber of Economy, Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, Associations of various branches of food industry all collaborate on the creation of regulations for the food additives. In addition to that, analytic control of additive use in food had been set up, and any food that doesn’t comply with Croatian legislative is banned from the market, irrespective of country of origin. There will be no compromise in that regard, and therefore, no reason for panic among consumers or producers.

The general opinion is that allegations that Croatian consumers’ health is endangered by food containing illegal and harmful additives are unsubstantiated and unverified.

Authors:

HZJZ, statement for HINA