The European Union has won an important legal battle against Kerry Group over smoke flavourings used in everyday foods, including ham, bacon, crisps and other processed products.
But behind this ruling lies a much bigger question; Are we genuinely making our food safer, or could removing one potential danger simply introduce another?
The EU’s decision followed scientific assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which raised concerns about genotoxicity [Latter the ability of certain substances to damage our DNA]. Such damage can potentially contribute to cancer and other serious health problems. This is not something we should dismiss lightly. However, it is equally important to understand that identifying a potential health hazard is not the same as proving that eating a particular food will cause cancer.
Why The Eu’s Decision Makes Sense For years, the food industry has relied on additives to improve flavour, appearance, consistency and shelf appeal. Consumers understandably expect that ingredients permitted in their food have been thoroughly assessed for safety. Where credible scientific evidence raises concerns about DNA damage, regulators have a responsibility to act. The EU’s position is that manufacturers must provide sufficient evidence that their ingredients are safe, rather than requiring authorities to prove actual harm has already occurred. That is a sensible principle of public health protection. Prevention is better than waiting for evidence of avoidable illness.
But Could The Alternative Be Worse? Kerry Group raised an interesting argument during its legal challenge. Modern smoke flavourings are produced by processing smoke and removing some undesirable contaminants. The company argued that these flavourings could be safer than traditional smoking methods. Traditional smoking can expose food to potentially harmful compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are carcinogenic. If manufacturers respond to the EU decision by returning to less controlled smoking processes, could consumers now end up exposed to greater risks? That possibility deserves proper scientific investigation, even though the court found that Kerry had not demonstrated that such a shift would occur. Replacing one ingredient with another is not automatically a health improvement.
The Bigger Health Issue We Should Not Ignore There is another important consideration. The World Health Organisation has classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, based on convincing evidence linking its consumption to colorectal cancer. This includes products such as bacon, ham and sausages. Removing certain smoke flavourings may reduce one source of potential exposure, but it does not suddenly make processed meat a healthy food. Nor does a product become nutritious simply because it is described as natural, traditionally smoked or free from artificial flavourings. The overall nutritional quality of what we eat matters far more than any single marketing claim.
What Should Happen Next? Food producers should use this transition as an opportunity to develop genuinely safer products, rather than simply searching for another chemical or processing method that recreates the same flavour. Regulators, meanwhile, must ensure replacement ingredients are properly assessed and that alternative manufacturing methods do not create additional health risks. Consumers deserve clearer food labelling, transparency about additives and independent scientific evidence. The EU has allowed a phased withdrawal, with the relevant deadline for meat, fish and cheese products extending to July 2029. Other food categories, including crisps, had an earlier July 2026 deadline. That provides an opportunity for responsible reformulation.
My Conclusion I believe the EU is right to take potential DNA-damaging substances seriously. However, good public health policy should be judged not only by what it removes from our food, but also by what replaces it. The goal must be measurable improvements in food safety, not merely a change in ingredients or production methods. This case also reminds us that the most important health question is often overlooked amid arguments over individual additives; Should we be eating so much highly processed food in the first place? Ultimately, the real victory will come when food manufacturers, scientists and regulators work together to produce food that is not only appealing and commercially successful, but demonstrably safer and healthier for consumers.
Food safety should never be a choice between protecting public health and protecting industry. Good science and responsible innovation should serve both.
Pre-deceased by his daughter Joanna and brother Denis; Mr Embleton passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Deeply regretted by his loving family; wife Tanya, sons Paul and Robert, daughters Grainne and Aoife, grandchildren, son-in-law Ben, daughters-in-law, sisters Violet and Sylvia, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends.
The extended Embleton family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: House strictly Private. Donations to Blood Bike South in memory of Mr James Embleton, Seskin House, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Remembrance Day – Today Wednesday, 11th November 2026.
The Hero. Poem by the late Siegfried Loraine Sassoon, (1886–1967).
‘Jack fell as he’d have wished,’ the mother said, And folded up the letter that she’d read. ‘The Colonel writes so nicely.’ Something broke In the tired voice that quavered to a choke. She half looked up. ‘We mothers are so proud Of our dead soldiers.’ Then her face was bowed.
Quietly the Brother Officer went out. He’d told the poor old dear some gallant lies That she would nourish all her days, no doubt For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy, Because he’d been so brave, her glorious boy.
He thought how ‘Jack’, cold-footed, useless swine, Had panicked down the trench that night the mine Went up at Wicked Corner; how he’d tried To get sent home, and how, at last, he died, Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care Except that lonely woman with white hair.
END
Today, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause in solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives during and in the aftermath of the First World War (1914–1918). At the eleventh hour, we remember the moment in 1918 when the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front, bringing an end to more than four years of unimaginable suffering, destruction and loss.
For the people of Thurles, Co. Tipperary, this day holds a particular significance. Among the countless lives lost were officers and men from our own town and surrounding communities, ordinary people whose lives were forever changed by the horrors of war. They were sons, brothers, friends and neighbours. At least 50,000 families in Ireland were affected by the loss of a loved one, during the First World War. They left behind families, familiar streets, townlands and communities, many never to return. Time may have passed, but their names deserve never to be forgotten.
In Memory of the Thurles Area Officers and Men Who Died During and Following the First World War. Today, we respectfully recall the following known names, preserved through historical research, including that of published author Mr Tom Burnell.
Anderson John; Armstrong William Maurice (Captain, M.C.); Beirne John; Bermingham Patrick; Bourke James; Brett Timothy; Butler John; Byrne Patrick; Carroll Martin; Carroll Thomas; Carty John; Cassidy John.
Cusack Oliver; Dea Patrick; Dwyer Cornelius; Egan Martin; Fitzpatrick Joseph; Gouldsborough Patrick; Griffin Thomas; Hackett Martin; Hanrahan Daniel; Hayes Daniel; Hayes Thomas; Hennessey Thomas; Horan Joseph.
Jordan Denis; Kelly James; Kelly William; Kennedy Matthew; Kiely Owen; Knox Hubert (Lt. Col.); Knox William (Lt. Col.); Lawyer Joseph; Maher Frank; Maher James; Maher James Bernard; Maher John.
Ryan Andrew; Ryan James; Ryan John; Ryan Martin; Ryan Michael; Ryan Patrick; Scally Patrick; Shields Matthew; Stapleton John; Sullivan Patrick; Terry Timothy; Walsh James.
Each of the above names represents a life once lived, a family touched by grief, and a place in the history of Thurles that should never be erased.
These men came from a country whose relationship with the First World War was complex, yet the suffering endured by those who served, and the heartbreak of those left behind, were very real. Remembrance is not about glorifying war. It is about acknowledging sacrifice, recognising human suffering and remembering the terrible cost of conflict.
Fr Willie Doyle – A Life of Courage, Faith and Compassion This Remembrance Day also brings encouraging news concerning the cause for canonisation of the remarkable Irish Jesuit priest and First World War chaplain, Fr Willie Doyle SJ (1873–1917). Born in Dalkey, Co. Dublin, Fr Doyle became widely admired for his extraordinary bravery and compassion while ministering to soldiers on the Western Front. Regardless of religious denomination, he offered comfort to the frightened, administered to the wounded and accompanied the dying during some of the darkest moments of the war.
On 16th August 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, Fr Doyle was killed while attempting to assist soldiers in danger beyond the front line. His courage was matched by his humanity, and his life remains a powerful example of love expressed through selfless service. On 9th November 2026, a significant new chapter began in the cause for his canonisation. The extensive documentation gathered during the diocesan investigation was formally delivered to the Vatican’s Dicastery [Latter a department or ministry in the Roman Curia of the Catholic Church that helps the Pope govern the global Church], for the Causes of Saints in Rome.
The diocesan phase had concluded on October 18th 2026 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, under the leadership of Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath. More than 3,000 pages of Fr Doyle’s writings, together with historical and theological research, have been assembled as part of the investigation. The cause now enters its Roman phase, where the evidence will undergo further examination. Although the journey towards possible sainthood has further stages to complete, this latest development represents an important milestone in recognising a priest whose extraordinary compassion extended beyond differences of nationality, belief and background. His story serves as a fitting reminder, on this day of remembrance, that even amid the darkest cruelty of war, goodness, kindness and love can still shine through.
Faith, Hope and Love – A Message for Remembrance Day As we remember those from Thurles and elsewhere who gave their lives, perhaps no words express the importance of compassion and humanity more beautifully than those of St Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
The above timeless words remind us that while wars divide nations and destroy lives, it is compassion, forgiveness, kindness and love that offer humanity its greatest hope.
We Will Remember Them. On this day, 11th November, let us remember not only the names recorded above, but also the many others whose suffering and sacrifice may never have been fully documented. Let us remember the families who waited for loved ones who never came home, those who returned carrying wounds both visible and unseen, and the generations forever affected by the Great War. Above all, let us hope that future generations will learn from the suffering of the past and strive for a world in which peace is valued above conflict and compassion triumphs over hatred.
A significant agreement has been reached between Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan TD and the Law Society of Ireland, bringing an end to the long-running dispute over criminal legal aid payments in the District Court.
The agreement, announced on 10th November 2026 following extensive discussions, addresses concerns raised by solicitors regarding lengthy court proceedings and separate criminal cases heard on the same day. Under the revised arrangements, the single flat-fee payment system will remain in place, replacing the previous payment structure based on court appearances. The practice of issuing multiple legal aid certificates for separate cases involving the same accused will also come to an end. However, important adjustments have been agreed to ensure additional payments in certain circumstances.
Key changes include: Enhanced payments for separate and distinct criminal cases involving two or more charges brought before the court on the same day. Higher single flat-fee payments for domestic violence cases, juvenile cases and cases involving accused persons held in custody before trial. Retention of the flat-fee model, with no return to the previous system of multiple legal aid certificates.
Minister O’Callaghan welcomed the agreement, emphasising that the central reforms introduced in July would remain in place to promote greater efficiency, fairness and cost-effectiveness within the criminal justice system. He also thanked Department officials and the Law Society for their efforts in resolving the dispute and expressed hope that solicitors who had withdrawn their services would now return to work. The agreement marks an important development for Ireland’s criminal justice system, seeking to balance the need for efficient public spending with fair remuneration for legal professionals and continued access to legal representation.
A nationwide public sector strike scheduled for Thursday, 12th November, has been suspended following a breakthrough in pay negotiations between the Government and trade unions.
The agreement, reached after lengthy talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) concluded at approximately 3.30am, proposes pay increases of 10.75% over two years and nine months, running from July 2026 until March 2029. The breakthrough has brought welcome relief to public services, with planned industrial action and ongoing work-to-rule measures set to be suspended while union members consider the proposals.
What Does the New Pay Deal Include? The proposed €5.2 billion agreement contains a series of scheduled pay increases, including:
September 2026: 2% increase or a minimum of €1,200, whichever is greater. April 2027: 1% increase. August 2027: 1% increase or a minimum of €600. November 2027: 1.5% increase or a minimum of €900. March 2028: 1% increase. June 2028: 1% increase or a minimum of €600. October 2028: 1% increase. March 2029: 1% under local bargaining arrangements. 2 March 2029: 1.25% increase or a minimum of €750.
Importantly, the agreement places particular emphasis on lower-paid public servants, with some workers potentially receiving increases of up to 18.3% over the lifetime of the deal. The salary threshold for additional lower-pay provisions will also rise from €50,000 to €60,000.
Government and Trade Unions Welcome Breakthrough Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers described the proposed agreement as fair, balanced and financially sustainable, highlighting its commitment to improving public services while supporting workers facing rising living costs. Tánaiste Simon Harris also welcomed the breakthrough, saying it would provide greater certainty for public servants and help maintain industrial relations stability.
However, Fórsa General Secretary and ICTU Public Services Committee Chair Kevin Callinan acknowledged that negotiations had been particularly difficult. He welcomed the improvements but stressed that rebuilding trust between public servants and the Government would require more than a pay agreement. The proposals also include provisions addressing inflation, recruitment and retention, workplace flexibility, artificial intelligence and modernisation across the public service.
Union Members Will Have the Final Say Despite the breakthrough, the agreement is not yet final. Individual trade unions will now examine the proposals and ballot their members, with voting expected to conclude in early December. Union representatives have emphasised that members themselves will ultimately decide whether the package is acceptable.
A Significant Step Forward The suspension of Thursday’s strike represents an important development for public servants and the wider public, particularly those relying on schools, hospitals and other essential services. While the proposed agreement offers meaningful pay improvements and additional protection for lower-paid workers, its future will depend on the outcome of union ballots and formal Government approval.
For now, the threat of further widespread disruption has eased, with attention turning to whether public sector workers will endorse the new deal.
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