Food enzymes

Food enzymes are used in the production of many types of food products. Enzymes are proteins with a catalytic activity, for which they are used in many food processes.
On this page you can read about the requirements for approval of food enzymes that are sold and/or used in food production in Denmark.

A​pproval o​​f food enzymes in Denmark

Denmark have regulation on the approval of enzymes according to the Danish Order no. 474/2023 on additions to food. The rules concerning the enzymes are in section 8 and annex 2. This order is only in Danish language. See link to the Danish order in the paragraph on "Legislation".

The requirement for approval concerns food enzymes marketed in Denmark and/or used in food processes in Denmark.​

Food business operators who produce or import enzymes for sale to food business operators in Denmark must have an approval for the enzymes and the processes for which the enzymes are marketed.

It also requires that the food business operators that buy and use the enzymes in the food processes e.g. baking, dairy, brewery etc. upon request from the authorities are able to document that the enzyme, they use is approved by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA).

This means that food enzymes that are active e.g. in a baking mix marketed in Denmark must be approved by the DVFA. For enzymes that have legally been used in a food production in another country and no longer have a function (activity) in the food product - that food can be imported and marketed in Denmark without an approval of the enzyme used. The requirements for approval concerns food enzymes, that are actively used in food production in Denmark or still is an active ingredient.  

Process for appro​​val

The process for approval of enzymes in Denmark is described here:
The applicant must send an application for approval of an enzyme directly to the DVFA (29@fvst.dk​). 

Procedure for approval of enzymes for the Danish market

  • ​Application from company (manufacturer of enzyme, importer of enzyme or manufacturer of food)
  • Risk assessment
    Risk management
  • Approval of a specific enzyme for specific processes
  • The approval is based on the documentation on safety, production methods etc. provided by the company

Requirements for application ​– according to SCF or EFSA guidelines:

  • Administrative data
  • Technical data
    • active components
    • source materials
    • manufacturing process
    • carriers and other additives/ingredients
    • usage
    • stability and fate in food
  • General requirements and specifications
    • hygiene
    • contaminants
  •  Documentation for safety in use
    • basic toxicological requirements
    • ​exemptions from the basic toxicological requirements
  •  Evaluation of the safety in use

Guida​nces

The Danish Order (Bekendtgørelse no. 474 from 9/5/2023) accept applications following the SCF or the EFSA guidelines for risk assessment of food enzymes. 

See link to guidance on the SCF guidelines, page 20-29
  
See link to the EFSA guidance - Scientific Guidance for the submission of dossiers on Food Enzymes

Appro​val​s

The DVFA issues approvals of enzymes to the company applying for approval. There is no public available list with approved enzymes in Denmark.

Approval via m​utual recognition

Denmark and France have an agreement about mutual recognition of food enzymes that have been approved in one of the countries. The agreement on mutual recognition between the French and the Danish authorities concerning the approval of enzymes means that an enzyme, which is approved in one of the countries based on a SCF or EFSA guidance on evaluation of safety can be easily approved in the other country.

For this approval by mutual recognition the applicant need to provide a copy of the original approval and a statement from the authority declaring that they have approved this enzyme for the actual uses.

For an enzyme approved in France, the applicant would need to provide the statement from the French authorities declaring that they have indeed approved the enzyme in question for the actual uses as well as a copy of the original approval of the enzyme.​

Legislation

​Read more about the Danish rules on food enzymes in the Danish Order no. 474/2023 on additions to food. The rules concerning the enzymes are in section 8 and annex 2. This order is only in Danish language and is named Bekendtgørelse om tilsætninger mv. til fødevarer.