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The European Commission has moved to tighten maximum permitted levels for three process contaminants in infant formula, baby food and processed cereal-based foods for young children, publishing two new regulations on July 30, 2026 that amend the framework set by Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 establishes and tightens maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), its fatty acid esters, and glycidyl fatty acid esters. It amends Sections 5.3 and 5.4 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/915. The bulk of its provisions will apply from August 19, 2026, while the specific limits for infant formula and processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children take effect on January 1, 2027.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 introduces, for the first time, maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan, with application from January 1, 2028.
Key changes under Regulation (EU) 2026/1825:
For baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children, and for vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other marine organisms destined for the production of these foods, the maximum level for the sum of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD, is set at 1,250 μg/kg for coconut oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm kernel oil and olive oil (including both refined and virgin olive oil), as well as mixtures containing only these oils and fats. For other vegetable oils and fats, fish oil and oils from other marine organisms, and mixtures containing only these oils and fats, the limit is 2,500 μg/kg. Refined olive oil has been explicitly reclassified under the 'other vegetable oils' category, meaning the 2,500 μg/kg cap applies to it, ending previous ambiguity.
For glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol, the maximum level is set at 1,000 μg/kg for the same categories. The scope of this limit has also been explicitly expanded to include 3-monobromopropanediol (3-MBPD) fatty acid esters and 3-monoiodopropanediol (3-MIPD) fatty acid esters, which are measured together with glycidyl fatty acid esters when indirect analytical methods are used, particularly in marine oils.
For composite foods containing more than 5% fat together with added vegetable oils and fats, and/or fish oil and/or other marine organism oils, the new maximum levels apply from August 19, 2026. No maximum level has yet been set for pre-fried or fried battered meat and fish products; the Commission has indicated that relevant limits will be drawn up after research into the relevant contaminant factors is completed, expected to take place after 2027.
Key changes under Regulation (EU) 2026/1890:
The new Section 5.6 introduces maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan, applicable to infant and young child foods from January 1, 2028. The maximum levels refer to lower-bound concentrations, calculated on the assumption that all values below the limit of quantification are zero. A factor of 0.83 is applied to the levels of 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, so the maximum level refers to the sum of furan + 0.83 × 2-methylfuran + 0.83 × 3-methylfuran.
Industry guidance for exporters and manufacturers:
The CIRS Group, which compiled this analysis, recommends that infant and young child food exporters immediately carry out baseline testing of their products for 3-MCPD, glycidyl fatty acid esters, furan and methylfurans, and assess compliance gaps against the new maximum levels. Preparations should be sequenced around the two key implementation dates: January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028.
On the procurement side, since 3-MCPD and glycidyl fatty acid esters originate mainly from refined vegetable oils—with palm oil being particularly significant—selecting suppliers that can offer oils with low contaminant levels and adjusting the proportions of oils and fats in formulations are effective levers for reducing contaminant content in finished products. Companies should note that the new limits for raw edible oils—500 μg/kg for 3-MCPD and 250 μg/kg for glycidyl fatty acid esters—are stricter than those applicable to general edible oils.
On the processing side, furan is a by-product of sterilization. Its formation can be reduced by adjusting sterilization temperature and time, adopting staged heating, and optimizing headspace in canned products. Producers should also build in-house testing capacity for furan and methylfurans and calculate the combined level according to the formula specified by the regulation.
Composite food manufacturers should review the types of oils and fats used in their formulations and calculate the applicable compliance limits based on fat content. Although pre-fried and fried battered meat and fish products are temporarily exempt from maximum levels, manufacturers should continue to monitor subsequent legislative developments.
In summary, the EU has simultaneously introduced two new regulations that significantly tighten controls on 3-MCPD, glycidyl fatty acid esters, furan and methylfurans, establishing specific and stringent maximum levels for infant and young child foods and creating multiple implementation deadlines. These changes will place considerable end-to-end compliance pressure on infant and young child food exporters and on manufacturers of composite foods containing oils and fats. Businesses are advised to use August 2026, January 2027 and January 1, 2028 as the three key milestones and simultaneously implement measures such as screening and optimizing oil and fat raw materials, improving production processes, and conducting routine testing and verification.
Source: CIRS Group