A proposal from the European Commission was approved by all member states on Wednesday. This concerns the use of certain substances for food. What it is?
European Union member states on Wednesday approved a proposal by the European Commission not to renew the authorization of eight smoke flavorings for food. After a phase-out period, the use of these flavors will no longer be allowed in the EU.
Eight food smoke flavors will be removed
The relevant decisions are based on scientific assessments carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that, for all eight smoke flavors assessed, genotoxicity concerns are either confirmed or cannot be excluded, the Commission reports in a statement.
EFSA’s opinion is based on an updated methodology, evaluating new data submitted by applicants. The advisory refers to specific flavorings that may be added to foods, and not to the foods themselves.
Following extensive discussions with Member States and stakeholders, the regulation sets out various phase-out periods to give manufacturers and operators time to adapt to the new rules.
If used to replace traditional smoking (eg ham, fish, cheeses), the phase-out period is 5 years.
For cases where the substances are added to give an additional flavor (eg soups, chips, sauces), the phase-out period will be 2 years. The regulation will be formally adopted by the European Commission in the coming weeks, and will come into force this spring.
Smoke flavors are regulated separately from other flavors in the EU
Smoking is a method traditionally used to help preserve certain foods such as fish, meat and dairy products. The smoking process also changes the flavor of the food.
As an alternative to traditional smoking, smoke flavors can be added to foods to give them a smoky flavor. They can also be added to foods that are not traditionally smoked (such as soups, sauces or confectionery). Smoke flavors are produced by a wood burning process called pyrolysis.
Smoke flavors are regulated separately from other flavors in the European Union because they consist of complex mixtures of substances that raise different safety concerns.
