Press Release: Safety of smoke flavourings: Commissioner Byrne welcomes Council adoption of new Regulation

The Council has adopted the Regulation on smoke flavourings which will harmonise the substantially diverging national rules on the authorisation and use of smoke flavourings. Smoke flavourings are used to impart a smoky flavour to foods such as meat, fish or snacks. They are produced by condensing fresh smoke in water, after which the condensed smoke is purified. Because of the purification process, the use of smoke flavourings is generally considered to be less of a health concern than the traditional smoking process. The Regulation enters into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States have to apply the new rules within the next 18 months, so latest in the beginning of 2005.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/fs/sfp/addit_flavor/flavourings/index_en.html http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/fs/sfp/addit_flavor/flavourings/index_en.html

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