EU tightens rules on 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in baby food and edible oils
The European Commission has enacted stricter safety standards targeting industrial contaminants in infant nutrition and edible oils, according to official regulatory documentation released this week.
Under Regulation (EU) 2026/1825, adopted on July 29 and published on July 30, 2026, the European Union updates its primary food contaminant framework (Regulation (EU) 2023/915). The amendment targets three process contaminants formed during high-temperature oil refining: 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, and glycidyl fatty acid esters.
For the first time, explicit regulatory thresholds have been established for processed cereal-based products and baby foods intended for infants and young children. The standard sets a strict maximum of 50 micrograms per kilogram (mcg/kg) for 3-MCPD and 25 mcg/kg for glycidyl esters.
The updated rules also apply directly to the raw ingredients used to manufacture these products:
• Vegetable and marine oils used in infant cereal production are subject to an immediate ceiling of 750 mcg/kg for 3-MCPD and 500 mcg/kg for glycidyl esters.
• Phase-in reductions will lower these oil thresholds to 500 mcg/kg and 250 mcg/kg, respectively, starting January 1, 2027.
• Refined olive oil is explicitly included under the scope of the vegetable oil limits.
To close testing loopholes—particularly when analyzing marine oils—the text specifies that indirect analytical methods measuring glycidyl esters must incorporate related halogenated compounds, notably 3-monobromopropanediol and 3-monoiodopropanediol.
Food processing operators face expanded verification requirements. Companies must audit the compliance of incoming raw materials and perform mandatory testing on finished food products whenever added vegetable or marine fats exceed 5% of the product's composition.
The regulation enters into force 20 days post-publication. While full enforcement begins on January 1, 2027, the Commission has included a transition provision allowing batches produced before the effective date to remain on market shelves until their expiration.
Source:
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