International Numbering System for Food Additives

International Numbering System for Food Additives

TheInternational Numbering System for Food Additives (INS) is a system of codes that is used to identify food additives. It is defined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is a joint body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The INS is designed to provide a standardized way of identifying food additives across different countries and languages.

Overview

The INS assigns a unique number to each food additive, which is used internationally to identify the additive in food labeling and regulation. These numbers are often prefixed with the letter "E" in the European Union, where they are known as E numbers. The system is intended to facilitate international trade and ensure that food additives are used safely and appropriately.

Structure of the INS

The INS numbers are typically three or four digits long. They are grouped into categories based on the function of the additive, such as:

• 100-199: Colors
• 200-299: Preservatives
• 300-399: Antioxidants, acidity regulators
• 400-499: Thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers
• 500-599: Acidity regulators, anti-caking agents
• 600-699: Flavor enhancers
• 700-799: Antibiotics
• 900-999: Miscellaneous
• 1000-1999: Additional chemicals

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of the INS is to provide a clear and consistent way to identify food additives. This helps consumers, manufacturers, and regulators to understand what additives are present in food products. The system also aids in the harmonization of food safety standards across different countries.

Regulation and Safety

Food additives are subject to rigorous safety assessments before they are assigned an INS number. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, along with national and regional food safety authorities, evaluates the safety of each additive based on scientific evidence. Only additives that are deemed safe for consumption are given an INS number and approved for use in food products.

Also see

• Codex Alimentarius
• E number
• Food additive
• Food safety
• Food labeling