Introduction and Amendments to Contaminant Levels in Certain Foods
- Date
- July 30, 2026
- Category
EU Regulations
- Sector
Supplements
- Description
The European Commission has published three Regulations amending or introducing new maximum contaminant levels for 3-MCPD, 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters; sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran; and Δ9- THC in certain foods.
What’s New?
Δ9-THC
- New contaminant limits for hemp leaves for water infusions and RTD hemp leaves infusions, and mandatory label statements of hemp leaves for water infusions have been introduced.
3-MCPD & Glycidyl esters
- Reductions in maximum levels for infant formulas and FSMP.
- New maximum levels in baby foods and compound foods containing certain oils and fats.
Furan and methylfurans
- First EU-wide maximum levels introduced across a range of cereal-based infant foods and baby foods.
Why it matters?
Manufacturers of the affected foods will need to ensure compliance with the new maximum levels by the dates of application, which range from 19 August 2026 in the case of 3-MCPD & Glycidyl esters in compound foods, to 1 January 2028 in the case of furans and methylfurans.
Sources:
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 as regards maximum levels of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters in certain foods.
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 as regards maximum levels of the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in processed cereal-based food for infants and young children and in baby food.
- Commission Regulation(EU) 2026/1828 as regards maximum levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9- THC) in hemp leaves for water infusion and hemp leaves infusions.