Crisp flavour loved by Brits to be banned across EU over terrifying health concerns

As a woman severely lacking a sweet tooth, there's nothing I love more than a packet of crisps - so I was gutted to learn that a crowd favourite is facing a ban in Europe.

There's just something irresistible about the crunchy texture, and let's face it - crisps are the perfect go-to snack for lunch, shared between friends in the pub, or sandwiched between two slices of buttered bread.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Asking somebody what their favourite crisps are usually ends with them rattling off a list of their top five - and who could blame them?

It's uncouth for a parent to pick their favourite child, isn't it?

What a glorious sight. (Getty Stock Image)

Well, it turns out that if the iconic smoky bacon flavour is one of your favourites... I have some bad news.

The European Union has made the decision to ban smoky bacon crisps.

While they're delicious, they've been linked to some health concerns.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that popular artificial smoke flavourings have the potential of sparking serious health problems.

That distinct smoky flavour is linked to genotoxicity - the ‘ability of a chemical to damage the genetic material of cells’.

The EFSA continued: “Changes or mutations to the genetic information within a cell may increase the risk of developing conditions like cancer and inherited diseases."

Ultimately, it's been decided that with this type of toxicity it isn’t possible ‘to define a safe level’ of the flavouring.

The flavour of smoky bacon is a crowd pleaser - but research suggests it's harmful. (Getty Stock Image)

So the decision was made to impose a total ban.

It has been reported that crisps manufacturers have challenged the report's claims, arguing that there is no evidence of a link to cancer - but the ban is going ahead.

Towards the end of April this year, EU member states agreed on the blanket ban, though it won't happen overnight.

Your favourite smoky bacon snack will be phased-out over a two year period in EU member states.

But your crisps aren't the only thing affected - that same flavouring used for sauces and soups will see those products affected, as well as meat, fish, or cheese that has had the flavouring added as an alternative to the traditional smoking process.

The EFSA said: "The Member States have endorsed a proposal from the Commission to not renew the authorisation of eight smoke flavourings for food. After a phase-out period, these flavourings will no longer be permitted for use in the EU.

You might want to rethink your next crisps haul. (Getty Stock Image)

"The relevant decisions are based on scientific assessments by the European Food Safety Authority which concluded that for all eight smoke flavourings assessed, genotoxicity concerns are either confirmed or can’t be ruled out.

"EFSA’s opinion is based on an updated methodology, assessing new data submitted by the applicants. It concerns the specific flavourings which can be added to food, and not the food itself.”

As we're no longer members of the EU in the UK, it's up to us whether we choose to keep consuming these crisps in light of the research.

And as for when we're on our holidays, there'll always be a wide range of crisps to choose from.