by crustyo44 » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:30 pm
Hi Phil,
I post the link shortly.
Polish smoked sausage threatened by new EU rules?
31st December 2013
Bookmark and Share
Polish smoked sausage may be a thing of a past, as new research shows that Polish producers are having trouble complying with EU regulations on smoked substances in foodstuffs.
The new rules are set to be in place in September 2014. Polish producers are wary that restrictions on wood-smoking foods, such as sausage or hams, may mean they might have to stop production altogether.
At least 150 producers out of around 2,000 are at risk, estimates Witold Choiński, Chariman of the Board at the Polish Meat Assocation (Związek 'Polskie Mięso').
“We have tested our products for smoked substances, and we already know that some of them do not meet [the EU's] regulations on benzo(a)piren,” says Waldemar Kluska, director of Taurus, a processed meat producer.
“Products now can contain 5.0 micrograms per kilogram, while from September 2014 that will become 2.0 micrograms,” Mr Kluska adds, saying that he will have to change production or close down operations – not good news for the 70 people he employs.
Producers complain that there were no consultations on minimum amounts of smoked substances in the production of traditional smoking. They hope that regional and traditional products will get 'special treatment' when the new regulation takes effect.
Poland A.M.