Uncertainties remain on safety of smoke flavour: EFSA

EFSA experts concluded that at the proposed use and use levels Fumokomp is not of safety concern. However they said that despite new data on Zesti Smoke Code 10, there is still an insufficient margin of safety, with the authority concluding that its use is of safety concern.

Smoke flavourings are products which can be added to certain foods – including meat, fish or cheese – to give them a “smoked” flavour, as an alternative to traditional smoking. They can also be used as flavourings in other foods such as soups, sauces and ready-to-eat savoury products.

The new EFSA evaluation will help to inform EU decision-makers in preparing a list of smoke flavourings authorised for use in the Europe.

Safety ruling​

In 2009, EFSA’s CEF Panel concluded that the margins of safety for Zesti Smoke Code 10 were too low when considering the uses and use levels specified by manufacturers.

A new 90-day toxicity study in animals, and newly proposed upper use levels, did not do enough to convince the Panel it update its Scientific Opinion; concluding that there are still safety concerns about the smoke flavouring.

Previously, the CEF Panel was not able to assess the safety of Fumokomp due to a lack of adequate available data.

However, based on the results of a complete 90-day animal toxicity study that was unavailable in 2009, EFSA have now confirmed that this smoke flavouring is not of safety concern for consumers at normal and upper levels for the proposed uses.