With the arrival of the hottest months, consumers and traders in Portugal are faced with a discreet change in supermarkets, restaurants and grocery stores. European regulation, based on food restrictions and approved last year, began to take shape in the national territory, influencing the choices of producers, importers and even small restoration businesses.
According to News to Minuto, the goal is to reinforce the protection of public health, although many are unaware of the technical detail of the new community directive.
Regulation with direct impact on consumption
As the calendar advances to the summer peak, the pressure on suppliers and brands that work with specific ingredients increases.
The same source recalls that the European Commission’s proposal was supported by opinions of the European Authority for Food Security (EFSA).
Many consumers do not even suspect that what they put on the cart may soon no longer be available or undergo flavor changes. According to the same source, the impact is not limited to large surfaces: it also reaches products sold at local fairs and neighborhood stores.
Popular products at risk of disappearance
For those who enjoy certain snacks or versions of more intense sauces and soups, this summer can reserve surprises in the section of packaged products.
The European Union (EU) prohibited the use of eight additives that give a characteristic flavor to various processed foods.
Eight additives under gradual prohibition
According to News to the Minute, these compounds were used to intensify the smoked aroma in chips, barbecue snacks, broths, drinks, cold and even industrialized desserts.
The decision results from the finding of potential genotoxic risks, which led to the gradual elimination of these substances over five years, but with restrictions already in force in the summer of 2025.
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Differences in taste and supply
With these dietary restrictions, the immediate impact on the end consumer will be to note subtle differences of flavor on usual brands or find products that temporarily disappear from shelves.
Food industry experts anticipate adjustments in production formulas and substitutions for natural aromas, which may influence prices of some popular items.
Care in reading labels
Foreign product importers will also have to adapt, as some foods made outside the EU may contain these banned additives.
The same source adds that consumer associations are disclosing information to help read labels more carefully, especially in salty snacks and condiments ready to use.
Small local producers, which use traditional smoke, are not covered by this specific interdiction, provided they do not employ the targeted industrial additives.
Reinforced inspection and next steps
If in doubt, it is recommended to check the ingredients or contact the manufacturer to confirm any changes in revenue. For now, immediate collection of lots already placed for sale is not foreseen, but new supplies must fully comply with the regulation.
Anyone who does not comply with the dietary restrictions are subject to ASAE applicable sanctions, which will intensify inspections especially during the summer, when the consumption of snacks increases. Rapid restoration companies and large hypermarket chains are already reevaluating contracts with suppliers to ensure that they do not incur dispenses.
The coming months will be, according to the determinants to see if there will be replacements of consumer -accepted flavor or if a break in sales of some references will be seen.
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