Update to the List of Food Additives

A food additive is a substance that is not consumed as food in and of itself, and that does not serve as typical ingredient of food, whether it has nutritional value of its own or not. The addition of this substance carries some technological purpose in the manufacturing, shipping or storage of the food, and this substance itself, its byproducts or the results of the breaking down thereof, are intended, expected or turned into an ingredient of the food, whether directly or indirectly, or remain in the food in such a way as to affect the properties of the food in a different capacity.

Who may file this request?

Anyone who is interested in manufacturing, marketing and importing food additives in Israel and who are required to meet the requirements of the food additive regulations.

Terms and conditions for the use of food additives

• The food additive serves a technological purpose in the food, and this purpose cannot be achieved using other reasonable means (which are feasible both technologically and financially). 
• This additive is beneficial for the consumer (for example: it preserves the quality of the food or improves it). 
• The use of food additives does not mislead consumers. 
• The food additive does not cover for the use of poor-quality raw ingredients or for poor manufacturing or sanitation conditions. 
• The food additive needs to be in food-grade level of cleanliness and specification. 
• The concentration of the food additive is limited to the lowest possible level necessary for achieving its technological purpose.

What should be attached to the request?

Fill the documents in clear and legible handwriting and attach the accompanying information to the request, including the professional literature references that are required in accordance with the protocol for the update to the list of food additives:

• Request form for update to the list (Appendix A of the protocol for the update to the list of food additives).
• Form about the legislative status of the food additive (Appendix B of the protocol for the update to the list of food additives).
• Further information about the food additive (Appendix C of the protocol for the update to the list of food additives) will be provided in accordance with the protocol's requirements. 

The service is provided free of charge

How do I file the request?

You need to fill clearly and completely all of the required fields in the request form for update to the list of food additives.

Further processing of the request

1. Immediately upon completing the form, you will receive a message that your request has been received. 
2. Upon reviewing your documents, your request will be submitted for the review of the food additives committee, which will draw up a recommendation and will submit it to the National Food Services for a final decision. 
3. According to the decision made, an update to the list of food additives (Hebrew), which is published from time to time, will be made. Until then, it can be seen under "updates yet to be incorporated into the list" on this website.

Duration of time required for a final decision on the request

• The final approval process may take up to one year.
• If the substance meets two or three of the following criteria, the processing time may take up to six months:
  • There is an American approval.
  • There is an approval by the European Union.
  • The substance has been approved or is in the process of approval in accordance with the Codex Alimentarius.