In the efforts to elaborate standards for all important foodstuffs, the authorities and experts of Codex Alimentarius Commission began in the late 1960’s to question the safety of numerous food additives. Before allocating to carob bean gum an ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) value, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the FAO/WHO requested in its 13th report (1969) extensive toxicological investigations. Shortly afterwards, similar requests were made by the relevant departments of the European Community.
It became evident that such tasks and also future ventures would certainly overstrain the resources of individual producers of Carob(Locust) Bean Gum. Consequently, most of the important producers recognised the necessity to form a non-profit association. Finally the legal registration of INEC “ Institut European des Industries de la Gomme de CaroubeI” took place on February 4, 1972 in Brussel.
History of INEC
