EU denies banning Belgian fries

Belgium has accused the European Union of trying to ban its iconic fries (frites), after the EU published new health guidelines advising potatoes should not be frozen before frying.

Flemish tourism minister Ben Weyts wrote to the European Commission, accusing the EU of trying to attack one of Belgium’s most famous delicacies, reported CGTN’s Elena Casas.

The famous Belgian fries are fried twice, once frozen and once freshly. The makers say it makes all the difference.

New EU guidelines say frozen fried potatoes can harbor carcinogens, leading the Flemish tourism minister to accuse the union of trying to ban the Belgian chips. But the EU denies it ever intended to ban the Belgian fries.

At the Maison Antoine in Brussels, chefs said they would never mess with the recipe for the perfect Belgian fries, and the customers seem to agree.

The Belgian fries have won several prizes for serving the city’s best chips. They sell 700 portions a day, which is the equivalent of 400 kilos of potatoes.

(CGTN)