Traditional Danish pastries under threat from the EU

TRADITIONAL Danish pastries are under threat in Denmark.

Their ‘kanelsnegler,’ or cinnamon rolls, could be banned after the EU proposed limiting the use of the spice in an effort to limit the amount of coumarin consumed. Coumarin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical found in cassia, the most common type of cinnamon.

Denmark’s food safety agency plans to implement the EU regulations which limit the amount of coumarin used to 15mg a kilo on everyday baked goods. However, in Sweden, the Government has got around the ruling by calling the cinnamon pastries a ‘traditional and seasonal dish’ as they are mainly enjoyed around Christmas and New Year. This allows them to use up to 50mg per kilo.

Ceylon cinnamon contains lower levels of coumarin than cassia cinnamon. Previous studies have linked high coumarin intake to liver damage in a small number of sensitive people, although some people have argued you would have to eat a considerable amount of cinnamon rolls to be affected.