Explanatory note

These Regulations, which come into force on 1st January 1990, amend the Preservatives in Food Regulations 1989 by extending the date by one year to 31st December 1990 of the availability of the defence to proceedings in respect of the sale or importation of food having in it or on it ethylene oxide where the presence of that substance is due to its use for pathogen reduction (regulation 11(3)). This extension only applies to dried herbs and spices and dried herbs intended exclusively for marketing without further processing as medicinal products, in accordance with the provisions of Council Directive 79/117/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 86/355/EEC and Council Directive 89/365/EEC.