Symrise launches grill flavours ahead of EU ban

EFSA scientists evaluated the grill flavours Grillin’ CB-200SF​​ and Grillin’ 5078​​ in 2017 and were unable to confirm their safety, prompting the Commission to decide to ban the flavours.

“The data submitted for evaluating the genotoxic potential of the flavouring was considered insufficient. There are still eight substances in the flavouring ​Grillin’ CB-200SF [and 12 in Grillin’ 5078] for which the evaluation of genotoxic potential is pending. No toxicity studies have been provided on the final product itself.”​

“…​on the basis of the data provided by the applicant the safety of [the flavours] cannot be established”.​

The two flavours are manufactured by Red Arrow, which also supplies liquid smoke and browning agents. Symrise previously purchased the raw material from Red Arrow and then used to create its own flavour blends for manufacturers. The impending ban, however, led it to develop equivalent alternatives. The new range is called 'Grillicious'.

Ute Woelke, vice president of strategic regulatory affairs for flavours and head of global raw materials, said the aim was to help food makers clean up their label and "protect their business".​

Using techniques such as chromatography to break down the aroma molecules, Symrise's new product developers were able to recreate the smell.

Steffen Grothe, category manager, said: “It took a while. The first choice didn’t deliver right result so the flavourists needed to do lots of trials and adjustments until they got to a result that resembled grilled meat.”​

“We wanted to develop counter products for both of these grill flavours but we didn’t stop there, and also have some more with ‘culinary appeal’.” ​

After four months in the development laboratory, the firm now has a range of around eight grill flavours to replace the two that are no longer on the Union List of authorised flavours.

“It’s a bit like cars or fashion, with a barbecue some people like their meat more grilled and some more meaty so we developed some flavours with a meaty taste, a juicy taste or a grilled taste," ​Grothe told FoodNavigator.

The products will be launched at the end of the month at a “cost competitive​” price compared to the previous flavours. They will be available globally and Symrise said it could quickly scale up production to meet a sudden increase in demand but initially, it is expecting demand to come from European manufacturers.

The ingredients can be listed as either a flavour or natural flavour in Europe.