With the issuance of a notification letter, the European Commission has given Portugal, along with Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria, and Sweden, a two-month deadline to provide information on the correct adoption into national legislation of the rules permitting the use of the extraction solvent 2-methyloxolane in food production.
Directive (EU) 2023/175 aims to include 2-methyloxolane in the European Union’s authorized list of extraction solvents that may be used during the production of foodstuffs, food components, or food ingredients, such as oils or cocoa butter.
If Lisbon fails to respond adequately within the stipulated timeframe, the Commission may escalate to the second phase of the infringement process by issuing a reasoned opinion.
