EU Tightens Maximum Levels for Three Contaminants—3-MCPD, Glycidyl Fatty Acid Esters and Furan—in Infant and Young Child Foods

On July 30, 2026, the European Commission published two regulations:

• Regulation (EU) 2026/1825; and
• Regulation (EU) 2026/1890.

Both amend Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food.

Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 establishes or tightens maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidyl fatty acid esters, while Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 introduces maximum levels for furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran. The former will apply from August 19, 2026, with the provisions for infant formula and processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children applying from January 1, 2027. The latter will apply from January 1, 2028.

1. 3-MCPD and Glycidyl Fatty Acid Esters: New Limits for Infant and Young Child Foods and Stricter Standards for Edible Oils

Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 amends Sections 5.3 (sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters) and 5.4 (glycidyl fatty acid esters) of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/915. The key changes are as follows:

(1). New or tightened maximum levels (applicable from January 1, 2027):

Table: Maximum Levels for 3-MCPD and Glycidyl Fatty Acid Esters

(2). New maximum levels for composite foods containing >5% fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or fish oil and/or other marine organism oils (applicable from August 19, 2026):

1. Maximum level for the sum of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD: 1,250 μg/kg fat: applicable to coconut oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm kernel oil and olive oil (consisting of refined olive oil and virgin olive oil), as well as mixtures containing only these oils/fats; 2,500 μg/kg fat: applicable to other vegetable oils and fats, fish oil and other marine organism oils, as well as mixtures containing only these oils/fats. No maximum level has yet been established for pre-fried/fried battered meat and fish products. Relevant limits will be established after research into the relevant contaminant factors has been completed, which is expected to take place after 2027.
2. Maximum level for glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol: 1,000 μg/kg fat.

(3) Other key changes

1. The scope of the maximum level for glycidyl fatty acid esters has been explicitly expanded to include 3-monobromopropanediol (3-MBPD) fatty acid esters and 3-monoiodopropanediol (3-MIPD) fatty acid esters. These substances are measured together with glycidyl fatty acid esters when indirect analytical methods are used, particularly in marine oils.
2. Refined olive oil has been explicitly classified under the category of “other vegetable oils”, meaning that the maximum level of 2,500 μg/kg fat for the sum of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters applies. This clarification is intended to eliminate ambiguity under the previous regulatory framework.

2. Furan and Methylfurans: First-Time Maximum Levels for Infant and Young Child Foods

Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 adds a new Section 5.6, “Sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan,” to Section 5 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/915. The new requirements will apply from January 1, 2028.

Table 2 Maximum Levels for Furan and 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran

For the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan, maximum levels refer to lower bound concentrations, which are calculated on the assumption that all the values below the limit of quantification are zero.

A factor of 0,83 is applied to the level of 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, and the maximum level refers to the sum of furan + 0.83 × 2-methylfuran + 0.83 × 3-methylfuran

3. Recommendations for Businesses

Infant and young child food exporters should immediately conduct baseline testing of products for 3-MCPD, glycidyl fatty acid esters, furan and methylfurans, and assess compliance gaps against the new maximum levels. Preparations should be made separately for the two key implementation dates: January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028.

Optimize the procurement of edible oils. 3-MCPD and glycidyl fatty acid esters mainly originate from refined vegetable oils, with palm oil being particularly significant. Selecting suppliers offering oils with low levels of 3-MCPD and adjusting the proportions of oils and fats in formulations are effective ways to reduce contaminant levels in finished products. Businesses 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.

Control furan formation during processing. Furan is a by-product of sterilization processes. Its formation can be reduced by adjusting sterilization temperature/time, adopting staged heating, and optimizing headspace in canned products. Businesses should also establish testing capabilities for furan and methylfurans and calculate the combined level according to the specified formula.

Composite food manufacturers. Composite foods containing more than 5% fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or fish oil and/or other marine organism oils are now subject to clearly defined maximum levels. Businesses should review the types of oils and fats used in formulations and calculate the applicable compliance limits based on fat content. Although pre-fried/fried battered meat and fish products are temporarily exempt from maximum levels, businesses should continue monitoring subsequent legislative developments.

4. Conclusion

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 introducing multiple implementation deadlines. These changes will place considerable end-to-end compliance pressure on Chinese infant and young child food exporters and manufacturers of composite foods containing oils and fats. Businesses are advised to use August 2026, January 2027, and January 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.

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