Extraction solvents are used in food processing to help dissolve and separate parts of a food. For example, certain extraction solvents can be used to remove caffeine in coffee and tea to help produce decaffeinated versions. The extraction solvent is removed before the resulting food or ingredient is used, but technically unavoidable residues or derivatives may remain. This is why it is important to ensure that extraction solvents are safe.
Extraction solvents need to be authorised before they can be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB). Only ‘permitted extraction solvents’, can be used in the production of food and placed on the GB market.
Permitted extraction solvents are defined in The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (Scotland) Regulations 2013. The domestic legislation governing the use of extraction solvents in England and Wales are The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (England) Regulations 2013 and The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (Wales) Regulations 2013.
There are some exemptions as extraction solvents used in the production of food additives, vitamins or any other nutritional additives do not need approval before use.