Goodbye Ham Chips? EU Bans Some Artificial Smoke Flavors

Ham crisps fans, get ready to say goodbye to your favorite snacks… at least as you know them! The European Union took a radical step on Wednesday by banning eight smoky flavor additives widely used in the food industry. This decision, which could revolutionize the taste of many products, responds to growing concerns about food safety and consumer health.

But concretely, what changes? And why did the EU take such a decision? We will explain all this to you, without irony and with a pinch of humor, because ultimately food safety is important, but that does not stop you from keeping a smile!

Which additives are affected?

So we won’t bombard you with a list of barbaric names (although, if you’re interested, we can always talk about it over a coffee), but know that eight additives are in the EU’s sights. These clever ones, hidden behind codes like SF-001 or SF-009, were used until now to give a smoky flavor to our chips, soups, sauces and even some cheeses or hams.

The food industry loved them because they allowed you to add that famous smoky flavor without going through the traditional smoking process. Convenient, right? Except that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA for short) has taken a hard look at the issue.

Why this ban?

Wait, let’s talk science (we promise to keep it quiet). EFSA investigated these additives and the verdict was in: six of them contained genotoxic substances. Kezako? Basically, these substances could damage our DNA. And the other two? Well, scientists aren’t sure, but they prefer to be safe.

Wim Mennes, an expert from EFSA, explains it to us as friends: “ Genotoxicity occurs when a chemical causes damage to the DNA of our cells. And those who say that DNA is damaged, say that there is an increased risk of cancer and other hereditary problems. The problem is that we cannot say “come on, a little is okay”. There is zero tolerance with these things.“.

And now what do we do?

Don’t panic! The EU is not completely sadistic. It provided a transition period for the industry to adapt. For crisps and other snacks, manufacturers have two years to find an alternative. For products such as cheese or hams, where these additives have replaced traditional smoking, they have as many as five years.

So yes, your ham-flavored chips might change a little. But look on the bright side: it’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover the true taste of food, or for manufacturers to rack their brains and innovate!