Northern Irish crisp makers will be subject to an EU ban on smoke flavourings because of post-Brexit trading arrangements.
It has been reported that the EU’s food safety authority said toxicity concerns about some eight smoke flavourings, including those used for smoky bacon crisps, were “either confirmed or can’t be ruled out.”
As a result Brussels has not renewed market authorisations for the flavourings to be used.
Under the terms of the Windsor Framework, NI continues to follow hundreds of EU rules and has access to the EU’s single market unlike the rest of the UK.
Manufacturers such as crisp giant Tayto cannot now use the affected smoke flavourings at its Co Armagh headquarters in Northern Ireland.
However, Tayto Group, which bought Edinburgh-founded Golden Wonder in 2006, would still be able to use them in smoky bacon crisps made at its factories in Great Britain if it so desired.
Opponents of the Windsor Framework hit out at the prospect of a smoky bacon border, saying it was an example of sovereignty being eroded in Northern Ireland.
TUV leader Jim Allister posed the question, “Is nothing safe from EU madness?!”
He said those who think the Irish Sea border and being subject to EU law is all about dry constitutional issues should “sit up and take notice if they enjoy Tayto smoky bacon crisps.”
He added: “EU micro managing and interference knows no limits when it reaches as far as dictating that Tayto in NI must stop producing smoky bacon crisps!
“The latest plan out of Brussels is to ban the use of smoke flavourings in crisps, which, of course, will hit our legendary Tayto factory at Tandragee.
“It all flows, of course, from the abandonment of sovereignty over many facets of Northern Ireland’s economic life to the EU through the iniquitous Protocol.
“A Protocol which carries the absurdity of this situation even further in that Smoky Bacon crisps produced in GB can come to NI, but we cannot produce them here.
“The resulting negative impact on a renowned NI manufacturing, Tayto NI, is obvious.
“The fact that the Government and its dud deal with the DUP does nothing to address such madness underscores the stranglehold that the EU is allowed to have over a proclaimed part of the UK.”
Meanwhile, Lord Dodds, the DUP peer, said: “It’s another reason EU law in Northern Ireland has to go along with the Irish Sea Border it creates.
“EU diktats are reaching into every aspect of daily life causing competitive disadvantages for NI manufacturing in its biggest market.”
Customs checks on goods and animals from Great Britain entering Northern Ireland were introduced to ensure they met EU standards to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.
But Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal also means manufacturers in Great Britain could take advantage of the Irish Sea border “green lane” to sell the banned smoky bacon flavour crisps in Northern Ireland.
EU sources confirmed the lighter touch fast-track for goods deemed not at risk of crossing into Ireland could be used to export the smoky snacks.
There are fears the flavourings for meats, sauces and crisps could cause cancer, but snack companies deny this.
It is unclear whether Tayto uses the affected smoke flavourings in Northern Ireland and the company was asked for comment.
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