They are the stars of our aperitifs. Their flavors rival each other in originality. Honey mustard, Jura cheese, mozzarella pesto, grilled bacon, braised chicken… chips delight our taste buds, but can be dangerous for our health. Certain packages could therefore disappear from our shelves within two years.
The cause ? The flavorings used in their manufacture to give them that smoky flavor. But chips aren’t the only ones affected. These smoky flavorings are also used in the production of certain sauces, soups or even to replace the traditional smoking of certain hams, fish or cheeses. Last April, European Union member states approved a European Commission proposal not to renew the authorization of eight smoke flavorings for foods.
Risks for the DNA of our cells
This decision is based on a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), published in November 2023, which highlights the risk that these aromas pose to the DNA of our cells. “Based on the available scientific evidence, the experts could not exclude the risks of genotoxicity for any of the eight smoke flavors,” writes the EFSA.
“Genotoxicity is 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 diseases,” explains Wim Mennes, chair of the EFSA working group on substances. flavorings. “We concluded that six of the smoke flavors we evaluated contain genotoxic substances and therefore pose safety concerns. We also could not rule out potential safety issues for the other two due to insufficient data,” he adds.
Withdrawal within two years
The withdrawal of these products will be gradual. It should be done within two years for chips, sauces, soups, etc. and within five years for traditionally smoked products, but which also use flavorings and no longer wood smoking.
Is this really the end of barbecue flavored chips? What is certain is that manufacturers will no longer be able to use these eight flavors in question to manufacture them. The fact remains that if they manage to find another recipe to achieve this smoky taste, consumers could see nothing but fire, and continue to buy their favorite chips…
