HOLY SMOKEY! They've taken the smokey out of the bacon
If you have detected a slight altered flavour to some savoury snacks it is due to the fact that new EU food regulations stipulate that crisp and confectionery manufacturers must take the smoke out of certain foods.
The 'smokey' ban will effectively come into force in 2026, just two years after the majority of EU member states agreed on European Commission proposals to withdraw the safety approval of eight smoke flavourings, that are widely used in food and beverages.
Smoke flavourings, which are made synthetically or by condensing real smoke, are often used to add a smoky flavour to food without the need for traditional smoking. Although these flavourings are widely used in various food products, there has been growing concern about the potential risks that they pose for the health of consumers. A stock image of bacon fries. Pic: Shutterstock
The new 'smokey' ban which comes into force in 2026 will affect food producing firms across the country who are now tasked with finding alternative flavours for their products.
One such company is Tayto Crips – whose Tayto Occasions Smokey Bacon bumper bags, are one of the food firms most popular offerings.
But in a move to get ahead of the market Mr Tayto have already reformulated the smokey bacon potato chips as a representative for Tayto Foods spoke o Extra.ie saying: 'The European Food Safety Authority has stipulated that any products containing 'Smoke Flavouring' require reformulation. The deadline set for compliance was 2026 however at Tayto Snacks we reformulated our Bacon Fries product ahead of the deadline to include natural smoke alternatives, delivering the same great taste.' Tayto Occasions Bacon Flavoured Bacon Fries. Pic: Tayto
And it's NOT just tasty treats affected by the ban, as Kerry Group – one of the nation's largest food producers – is also tasked with finding new ways to smoke their bacon products.
In a statement on Kerry Group's website they set out how the new regulations will affect products like meat, cheese and certain fish foods.
'The on-going popularity of, and demand for smoke flavouring can be seen in the fact that, globally, one in every seven new food products is barbecue-focused, and 'barbecue' is the third most popular snack flavour, while 'smoked' is number one in the meat category,' said Kerry Group. A stock image of a bowl of bacon fries. Pic: Shutterstock
'When the Commission adopts the decisions to not extend the marketing authorisations, smoke flavourings users in the EU would need to consider other options for smoking foods, or imparting smoke flavour. '
While other options for imparting smoke taste do not achieve all of the benefits realised through the use of smoke flavourings, for certain specific applications, Kerry offers the best alternative options available in the marketplace to impart popular smoke flavours. '
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