The European Union has declared coffee "harmful to humans" in a new regulation that bans the use of caffeine as a pesticide.
Brussels officials cited scientific evidence claiming caffeine is harmful when swallowed, in a report supporting the ban on using the substance to kill snails and slugs in vegetable patches.
The controversial ruling has sparked concerns that EU regulations could eventually target coffee consumption, a cornerstone of European daily life.
The EU report highlighted multiple health concerns associated with caffeine consumption.
Vistisen drew parallels with other lifestyle choices, stating: "Nobody
thinks smoking and whiskey are good for you, but they add pleasure to
many peoples lives."
The regulation echoes a previous EU
controversy over Danish pastries, where cinnamon rolls had to be
reclassified as "traditional" food.
This reclassification was necessary to avoid EU limits on coumarin, a potentially toxic compound found in cinnamon.
"A
few years ago, the EU wished to ban cinnamon on Danish pastries and the
bakers union had to wrangle a get-out clause," Vistisen said.
"It would suit everyone much better if many of these matters were left to national competence and personal choice."...<<<Read More>>>..
