Flavourings

Norway Prepares EEA Incorporation of EU Food Flavourings and Additives Regulations 2026/172, 2026/175, 2026/189 and 2026/196

Norway has signalled that four recent EU food flavouring and additive regulations (2026/172, 2026/175, 2026/189 and 2026/196) are expected to be taken up by the EEA Joint Committee at its 30 April 2026 meeting, extending their effects beyond the EU. Food and nutrition businesses serving Norwegian and wider EEA markets should treat the EU changes on new flavourings, shellac (E 904) and key gums/pectins as imminent local obligations and start aligning formulations, specifications and labelling to the updated frameworks.

22 Apr 2026, 12:28regjeringen.noEuropean UnionNorwayEuropean Economic Area

EEA Joint Committee Decision 268/2025 Incorporates Flavouring Substance Amendments into Annex II to the EEA Agreement

The EEA Joint Committee has incorporated two EU amendments to the Flavourings Regulation into Annex II of the EEA Agreement, extending the removal and restriction of certain flavouring substances to the EEA market (excluding Liechtenstein) from December 2025. Food and flavourings manufacturers supplying Iceland and Norway must align formulations and specifications with these updated EU food chemical safety rules, ensuring affected substances are removed or used only within the new limits.

22 Apr 2026, 08:43eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaEuropean Union

Japan Revokes Priority Evaluation Chemical Designations for Six Substances Under CSCL

Japan has revoked the priority evaluation chemical status for six substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law effective March 31, 2026. This administrative change reduces immediate reporting obligations and regulatory scrutiny, allowing companies to reallocate compliance resources away from these specific substances.

3 Apr 2026, 18:05kanpo.go.jpJapan

USITC Schedules Expedited Second Five-Year Antidumping Reviews of Monosodium Glutamate From China and Indonesia

The USITC has scheduled expedited sunset reviews for antidumping duties on monosodium glutamate from China and Indonesia, with comments due by April 8, 2026. Businesses should anticipate the continued application of these trade barriers, as the expedited process typically signals a high probability that existing duties will be maintained.

28 Mar 2026, 16:38federalregister.govUnited States

EFSA Extends Risk Assessment Deadline for 32 Feed Flavouring Compounds (EFSA-Q-2025-00158)

EFSA has extended the risk assessment deadline for 32 feed flavouring compounds to July 2026 following the submission of supplementary technical data. Future market access for these additives depends on the upcoming safety opinion, requiring manufacturers to prepare for potential changes in authorization or formulation requirements.

27 Mar 2026, 18:18open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Intake of Application for Nonanoic Acid (2b08029) as Sensory Feed Additive for All Animal Species

EFSA has initiated the formal intake process for the authorization or renewal of nonanoic acid as a sensory feed additive for all animal species. This marks the start of a mandatory risk assessment that will define future market access and safety requirements for the substance in animal nutrition.

20 Mar 2026, 16:13open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/548 Denies Authorisation of Great Burdock Extract Feed Additive for Cats and Dogs

The European Union has finalized the denial of authorization for great burdock extract as a pet food additive due to safety and efficacy data gaps. Impacted businesses must reformulate products and clear all existing inventory from the market by October 2026 to maintain compliance.

17 Mar 2026, 20:07eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Authorises Patchouli Essential Oil Feed Additive for All Animal Species Under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/528

EU Implementing Regulation 2026/528 authorises patchouli essential oil as a sensory feed additive for all animal species effective April 2026. Manufacturers must update labels and safety protocols to meet new identification and worker protection standards by the October 2026 transitional deadline.

12 Mar 2026, 17:29eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Commission Decision: Confidentiality Assessment for FFAC Application Re-evaluating 2-Acetylfuran and 2-Pentylfuran as Feed Additives

The European Commission has formalised confidentiality limits for the safety re-evaluation of 2-acetylfuran and 2-pentylfuran as animal feed additives. This decision advances the regulatory review of these flavouring substances and establishes the level of public transparency required for technical dossiers.

12 Mar 2026, 07:24ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US FDA Seeks Comment on Draft Guidance for Flavored ENDS Premarket Applications and Youth Risk

The US FDA has issued draft guidance outlining the rigorous evidentiary standards required for premarket applications of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems. Market access for non-tobacco flavors will depend on manufacturers proving that adult cessation benefits significantly outweigh the risks of youth initiation and use.

12 Mar 2026, 05:05federalregister.govUnited States

Panama Notifies Draft SPS Technical Regulation on Flavoured Liquid Milk

Panama has proposed a new technical regulation for flavoured liquid milk establishing strict composition, microbiological, and labelling standards. Exporters must review formulations to ensure compliance with preservative bans and mandatory sanitary registration requirements to avoid market access disruptions.

11 Mar 2026, 12:26epingalert.orgPanama

EFSA Open Call for Data on Food Additives and Flavourings (Second Monitoring Pilot)

EFSA has launched a data call for priority food additives and flavourings, including BHT and sorbates, with a submission deadline of June 2026. The resulting data will directly influence future risk assessments and potential use restrictions to manage cumulative exposure and maintain product safety standards.

8 Mar 2026, 15:06efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Adopts Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/402 Authorising L-Cystine Produced With Escherichia coli DSM 34232 as a Feed Additive for All Animal Species

The European Union has authorized L-cystine produced via biotechnology as a sensory feed additive for all animal species, effective March 2026. Operators must implement specific purity thresholds and labeling protocols for premixtures to ensure compliance with the ten-year authorization period.

28 Feb 2026, 14:19eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Minnesota: Bill SF 3783 Would Exempt Flavoring Agents From Drug Compounding Definition

Minnesota introduced legislation in February 2026 to exempt inert flavoring agents from the statutory definition of drug compounding. This proposal aims to streamline operations for pharmacies and manufacturers by removing complex compounding compliance requirements for simple palatability improvements.

25 Feb 2026, 18:48revisor.mn.govUnited States

EU Commission Adopts Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/353 Authorising L-Histidine Feed Additives for All Animal Species

The EU has authorised L-histidine and its monohydrochloride monohydrate as nutritional and sensory feed additives for all animal species, effective March 2026. Operators must update labels and formulations to meet new requirements for rumen protection, concentration limits, and amino acid balance warnings to maintain market access.

21 Feb 2026, 18:21eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MFDS Consults On Amendments To Food Additives Standards For Sweeteners And Flavourings

South Korea is proposing stricter use standards and category-specific limits for sweeteners and flavourings to align with international food safety norms. Manufacturers should review formulations against new maximum levels for sweeteners and prepare for the phase-out of specific additives like azodicarbonamide.

17 Feb 2026, 16:04mfds.go.krSouth Korea

EFSA Ongoing Risk Assessment of Food Flavouring FL 05.097 (3-Methyl-2-Phenylbutyraldehyde)

EFSA is conducting a safety re-evaluation of the food flavoring 3-methyl-2-phenylbutyraldehyde with a final scientific opinion expected by June 2027. Findings from this assessment may lead to revised authorization terms or usage restrictions requiring reformulation of products containing this substance.

14 Feb 2026, 19:11open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/175 on Inclusion of Hesperetin Dihydrochalcone in Union List of Flavourings

The European Union has published a formal correction to the authorization specifications for the flavouring substance hesperetin dihydrochalcone. Businesses should immediately verify that technical dossiers and product formulations align with the corrected legal text to maintain regulatory compliance.

14 Feb 2026, 13:59eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Reporting Guidance for Use Levels on Food Additives and Food Flavourings — 2026

EFSA has published updated technical guidance for reporting 2026 use-level data for food additives and flavourings. Adherence to these standardized data models is critical for ensuring that substance use data accurately informs EFSA's safety assessments and subsequent risk management decisions.

13 Feb 2026, 07:54efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA Publishes 2026 Reporting Guidance for ‘No-Presence’ Food Additives and Flavourings Data

EFSA has released technical guidance for the 2026 reporting cycle on documenting the absence of food additives and flavourings in products. Enhanced data on non-use will refine exposure models and support more accurate risk assessments, potentially influencing future usage restrictions and regulatory reviews.

12 Feb 2026, 10:50efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union