- The EU is set to phase out artificial smoke flavourings over the next two years
Northern Irish crisp manufacturers are facing an EU ban on smoke flavourings due to post-Brexit trading arrangements – potentially creating a ‘smoky bacon border’ with Britain.
The European Union is set to phase out artificial smoke flavourings over the next two years after its food safety authority said toxicity concerns were ‘either confirmed or can’t be ruled out.’
Brussels has failed to renew market authorisations following a recent European Commission report, which stated that artificial smoke flavourings ‘carry cancer risks due to how the flavour is extracted.’
Under the Brexit agreement known as the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland continues to follow hundreds of EU rules and has access to the single market in order to prevent a ‘hard border’ with the Republic of Ireland.
This means that snack makers such as crisp giant Tayto would have to stop using the affected smoke flavourings at their Northern Ireland factories.
Snack makers such as crisp giant Tayto could have to stop using the affected smoke flavourings at their Northern Ireland factories
File image shows a poster reading “No Irish Sea border” in the port of Larne, Northern Ireland
However, Tayto Group and other manufacturers in England, Scotland and Wales would still be able to use the smoky flavours, such as those found in BBQ crisps.
DUP peer Lord Dodds told The Telegraph: ‘It’s another reason EU law in Northern Ireland has to go along with the Irish Sea Border it creates.’
He added: ‘EU diktats are reaching into every aspect of daily life causing competitive disadvantages for NI manufacturing in its biggest market.’
Tayto Group Limited is the largest British-owned crisp and snack manufacturer, producing over five million packs a day across its five UK factories, including at ‘Tayto Castle’ in Tandragee.
It is separate from Irish-owned Tayto Snacks, which sells crisps throughout the Republic of Ireland while the Co. Armagh-based manufacturer sells their products throughout the North and the rest of the UK.
Irish manufacturers are also against the ban, with as much as 40 per cent of ham and bacon sold in the country reported to be reliant on the flavour extraction method.
Food manufacturers the Kerry Group have reportedly lobbied the government claiming the ban could cause ‘major economic harm’.
Tayto Group Ltd is the largest British-owned crisp and snack manufacturer, producing over five million packs a day across its five UK factories, including its original site in Co Armagh
The European Commission report claims that cancer risks have been associated with how smoke is purified and the removal of tar and ash before flavouring is added to food.
However, manufacturers have disputed these claims, citing a lack of evidence.
In a statement following the report in April, the EU Commission said that EU Member States had ‘endorsed a proposal from the Commission to not renew the authorisation of eight smoke flavourings for food.’
‘After a phase-out period, these flavourings will no longer be permitted for use in the EU,’ they said.
Brexiteers have long criticised the EU for its ‘precautionary principle’ on health warnings, which they argue can be over-cautious and ignore potential health benefits.
Brussels says the phase out period is designed to limit economic harm to manufacturers and allow them to develop alternatives.
It is unclear whether Tayto Group Ltd uses the affected flavourings in Northern Ireland and the company has been contacted for comment.
