GETOR approved as food additive in sodas

The new rule, published in the Federal Register of August 22, is effective immediately. The action was taken in response to a food additive petition filed by Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific Resins, which proposed the regulations be amended to allow for the safe use of GETOR in beverage preparation, as well as the use of steam stripping as a purification method for producing the three glycerol ester of rosins - wood, gum, and tall oil. Rosin, a solid form of plant-derived resin, can be used in the food industry in applications such as chewing gum, where it serves as a glazing agent. Related glycerol esters can be used as emulsifiers or stabilizers in sodas. Glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, glycerol ester of wood rosin (GEWR) and glycerol ester of gum rosin (GEGR) are approved for use in chewing gum bases, under current food additive regulations. FDA testing has found GEGR to be chemically similar to GEWR. The petition filed by Georgia-Pacific Resins proposed that GETOR is examined in a similar way, in order for it to be used to substitute GEWR or GEGR for adjusting the density of citrus oils in sodas. Based on its examination of information provided by the petitioner and "other available information",​ FDA concluded that GETOR is chemically and functionally similar to GEWR and GEGR, and that any increase in the estimated daily intake of the individual resin acids and resin acid esters resulting from the proposed use of GETOR "will not be of toxicological concern". ​ The agency also concluded that steam stripping is an acceptable method for purifying the rosin esters, and has amended regulations to include the purification method. FDA said any objections or requests for a hearing must be made by September 21 2007. The petition and the documents that the agency considered and relied upon in reaching its conclusion will be made available for inspection at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.