Smoky flavours have become increasingly popular across a wide range of food and beverage applications. From BBQ sauces and seasonings to snacks, ready meals and plant-based products, consumers continue to seek authentic, rich and distinctive flavour experiences.
However, recent changes to EU legislation mean food manufacturers using certain traditional smoke flavouring products need to review their formulations and start considering alternatives.
What Is Changing in the EU?
In 2024, the European Commission decided not to renew the authorisation of several smoke flavouring primary products following scientific assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
In November 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that it could not rule out potential genotoxicity concerns for any of the eight smoke flavourings it assessed. Genotoxicity refers to the possibility that a substance could damage genetic material, which may increase health risks. This finding has significant implications for food manufacturers that use these ingredients, as they may need to review their formulations, assess regulatory requirements, and identify suitable alternatives.
The regulation includes different phase-out periods. For applications where smoke flavouring replaces traditional smoking, such as ham, fish and cheese, the transition period runs until July 2029. For products where smoke flavouring is used primarily to add smoky taste, including sauces, soups and snacks, the phase-out period ended in July 2026.
How Does This Affect Food Manufacturers?
Smoke flavouring has traditionally been used to deliver the recognisable character of smoking without relying on traditional smoking processes. As affected products are phased out, manufacturers may need to reformulate existing products while maintaining the flavour, consistency and consumer appeal that customers expect.
This is particularly important for brands where smoky notes are central to the product profile. Simply removing a smoke flavour can significantly change the overall sensory experience.
Consumer Demand for Smoky Flavours Continues
Despite the regulatory changes, consumer interest in smoky profiles remains strong. Innova Market Insights reports a 6% increase in food and beverage launches featuring smoked flavours between October 2019 and September 2024.
The leading categories for smoked flavour product launches were meat and fish (55%), followed by sauces and seasonings (11%) and snacks (10%).
The challenge is clear: manufacturers still need to deliver the smoky experiences consumers enjoy while adapting to a changing regulatory landscape.
Exploring Alternatives with Plant-Ex Smoke+ Collection
Plant-Ex’s Smoke+ Collection offers manufacturers an opportunity to create distinctive smoky profiles without using outgoing primary smoke flavourings.
The collection includes Hickory Smoke+, Applewood Smoke+, Beech Smoke+, Oak Smoke+ and Mesquite Smoke+, providing profiles ranging from soft and delicate to bold, woody and charred.
Plant-Ex Smoke+ products are crafted using smoked maltodextrin, natural flavouring and smoked sunflower oil. Made with naturally smoked ingredients and natural flavouring and do not contain outgoing primary smoke flavourings.
The profiles can also be combined with other flavourings to create specific dish or cooking-method profiles across applications including sauces, seasonings, bakery and ready meals.
Creating a Complete Flavour Experience
Replacing a smoke flavouring may require a more holistic approach. According to Innova Market Insights, creating alternatives can involve rebuilding flavour profiles layer by layer to recreate not only smokiness, but also aroma, depth and mouthfeel.
This is where Plant-Ex’s 3D Flavour System can support product development. By building flavour across different sensory dimensions, manufacturers can create greater depth, complexity and authenticity.
As regulations change, the demand for smoky flavours is not disappearing. The opportunity now lies in innovation—developing compliant alternatives that continue to deliver the authentic and memorable flavour experiences consumers expect.
Contact Plant-Ex to explore the Smoke+ Collection and discover how our flavour expertise can support your next product development project.
Sources:
- Innova Market Insights, EU Smoke Ban Spurs Industry Flavor Innovation, Briefing Series, 2025.
- European Commission – Smoke flavouring legislation.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Scientific assessments of smoke flavourings.