Extraction solvents authorisation guidance

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 (England) Regulations 2013 .   The domestic legislation governing the use of extraction solvents in Scotland and Wales are The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (Scotland) 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. 

New authorisations

To apply for an authorisation of a new extraction solvent in GB, use our regulated products application portal. This is where you will be asked to upload all the documents to support your application, which will form your dossier. There is no fee for the application. 

While there is no specific guidance for extraction solvents applications, you may find it helpful to follow the guidance for food additives as appropriate. 

Your application should explain the technological need for the new extraction solvent, including the reason(s) for setting a maximum residual level at a certain level. You also need to demonstrate that the new extraction solvent or its use would not be of safety concern. 

Getting help

If you have any questions about the authorisation procedure or process, you can contact us at regulatedproducts@food.gov.uk 

Apply for authorisation

You can now use our online service to make a regulated product application.