At previous meetings the Committee had access to documents prepared for new or existing food additives (Technical Data Sheets) that were used internally because detailed information on manufacturing processes described therein could contain commercially sensitive data. These documents, however, also contain valuable information on chemical and technological aspects of compounds under discussion which was not made public. At its 59th meeting the Committee recommended that comprehensive information on technological use levels for foods should be included in this document which should also form the basis for intake assessment. Furthermore, the importance of specifications as an integral part of the risk assessment of food additives was stressed. Considering these recommendations the Secretariat has adapted the format and structure of the Technical Data Sheet and renamed it the Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA) with the intention of making this document publicly available. The CTA reflects and emphasises the role chemical characterization plays in the risk assessment of food additives. The document is prepared by an expert assigned before the meeting. The document is intended to provide to the Committee the basic information related to identity, purity and use of the food additive, as related to its risk assessment.

The drafting expert responsible for preparing a CTA is asked to identify those sections of a confidential nature and the Secretariat will ensure their removal before publication. The CTAs are available at the FAO JECFA website; it is not anticipated to publish them in print.

68th JECFA - Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA)

67th JECFA - Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA)

65th JECFA - Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA)

63rd JECFA - Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA)

61st JECFA - Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA)