EU Regulation 2026/196 Food Additive Rules Now Apply

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/196 has applied across the European Union since August 18, 2026, changing permitted uses and purity specifications for carrageenan (E 407), locust bean gum (E 410), guar gum (E 412), gum arabic (E 414), xanthan gum (E 415), pectins (E 440) and starch sodium octenyl succinate (E 1450). The measure directly affects food additive suppliers and food manufacturers. Its most detailed controls focus on foods for infants, young children and special medical purposes.

For milk-based drinks for young children, E 410, E 412, E 414 and E 415 are now authorized only in specified combinations and within a combined maximum. Individual limits include 300 mg/kg for E 407, 10,000 mg/kg for each of E 410, E 412, E 414 and E 415, and 5,000 mg/kg for E 440.

Where several are used together, their levels must be reduced proportionally so the combined maximum is not exceeded.

The regulation removes E 412 from infant formula and category 13.1.5.1 foods for special medical purposes intended for infants. In category 13.1.5.2, covering defined products for infants from four months and young children, E 412 remains permitted at 10,000 mg/kg only in liquid formulae containing hydrolysed proteins, peptides or amino acids until April 27, 2027.

E 410 remains permitted at 5,300 mg/kg only in products for reducing gastro-oesophageal reflux, while E 440 may be used at 4,000 mg/kg in products for gastrointestinal disorders. E 1450 may remain at 20,000 mg/kg for defined products until February 18, 2028, after which 10,000 mg/kg applies.

Specifications for several additives now include updated limits for toxic elements and microbiological criteria. A formulation can therefore remain within a numerical use level yet still fail food safety requirements if the supplied additive does not meet the revised specification.

Specified additives lawfully placed on the market before August 18, 2026, may continue to be added to food until stocks are exhausted. Foods containing qualifying pre-application additive stock may remain on sale until their minimum durability or use-by date.

Separately, non-compliant foods lawfully marketed before August 18 can continue to be marketed until their minimum durability or use-by date, with a February 18, 2028, eligibility cut-off for foods containing E 1450. Category-specific E 412 food transitions also apply.

What Can CIRS Do for You

Established in 2007, the CIRS Group is a leading product safety and regulatory consulting firm. CIRS has branch offices in the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China. CIRS Group utilizes its technical expertise, various resources, and international network to provide one-stop compliance services from regulatory compliance, laboratory testing, and R&D to data services across multiple industries. This includes chemicals, cosmetics, food and food beverages, medical devices, agrochemical products, disinfectants, and consumer goods. It helps clients gain a competitive advantage by reducing business risks associated with regulatory affairs.

The vast majority of members in CIRS Food Business Division have over 10 years of professional experience in food compliance, with more than 80% holding Master’s or Doctoral degrees in food-related disciplines. The CIRS toxicology expert team consists of 24 Chinese Certified Toxicologists (DCST), 2 American Board Certified Toxicologists (DABT), and 2 European Registered Toxicologists (ERT). CIRS has provided one-stop food compliance services to over 1,000 domestic and international food and related enterprises. Leveraging its technical expertise, diverse resources, and global network, the CIRS Food Business Division offers global food compliance services, including but not limited to:

• Health food registration and filing in China;
• Application for “Three New Foods (new food additives, new food raw materials and new food-related products” in China;
• U.S. GRAS, NDI, and CAP notifications;
• EU Novel Food, food additives, and food enzymes applications; and
• Application for new feed ingredients and feed additives in China, the U.S., and the EU.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.