These are food products widely consumed throughout Europe. But manufacturers will have to change their recipes or give up on them. The European Union will ban several artificial flavors that give a smoky taste to foods.
Which flavors will be banned?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a report at the end of 2023 on smoke flavors. It studied the eight used in the European Union and whose authorization was to be renewed for the next ten years: SF-001 “proFagus Smoke R714” (formerly “Scansmoke PB 1110”); SF-002 “Zesti Smoke Code 10”; SF-003 “Smoke Concentration 809045”; SF-004 “Scansmoke SEF7525”; SF-005 “SmokeEx C-10”; SF-006 “SmokEz Enviro-23”; SF-008 “proFagus Smoke R709”; and SF-009 “Fumokomp Conc. » (formerly “Fumokomp”). These aromas allow manufacturers to give a smoky taste to foods without going through a real traditional smoking process.
What are the health risks ?
“ We concluded that six of the smoke flavors we evaluated contain genotoxic substances and therefore pose safety concernsindicates the EFSA in its report. We also could not rule out potential safety issues for the other two due to insufficient data.. » The European authority defines genotoxicity as the ability of a chemical substance to damage the genetic material of cells. “ Changes or mutations in genetic information within a cell can increase the risk of developing conditions such as cancers or hereditary diseasesadds EFSA. It is impossible to define a safety level for this type of toxicity. »
Which products are affected?
These smoke flavors can be added to foods such as meat, fish or cheese. They can also be used as flavorings in other foods such as soups, sauces, drinks, chips, ice creams and even confectionery. Smoked flavor barbecue sauce, smoky paprika chips, smoked bacon… Many of the products concerned are sold throughout France. To identify a product concerned, simply consult the list of its ingredients: if “smoke flavor” is written, it will be prohibited.
When will the ban come into effect?
Brands that have replaced traditional smoking with “smoked taste” flavors have five years to correct their recipe. Those who added flavorings just to add extra taste must remove it from their ingredients within two years. Brands that market products smoked using a traditional method, such as salmon or certain hams, or that indicate the presence of “natural flavors” are not affected.
What economic consequences?
In Ireland, a major producer and consumer of smoked products, local manufacturers fear a “ major economic damage » to the food sector, indicates BFM TV. “ Irish snack brand Kerry estimates the decision will have a negative impact of €30 billion on European food markets », add our colleagues. Nothing to worry about the European Commission which assures that “ alternatives to these flavors will be sought by manufacturers to market products with similar tastes. Hence the two-year deadline. »
