Maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol
- Contaminants
- Food safety
Summary
The European Union (EU) has revised the maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) (the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters), and for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol), in certain processed cereal-based foods for babies, infants, and young children. It has also set maximum levels of those contaminants in some compound foods.
The EU has also reduced the maximum levels of 3-MCPD and glycidol in fats and oils destined to produce these foods, to ensure that the new maximum levels are not exceeded.
EU sets new maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in baby foods and compound foods
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 of 29 July 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as regards maximum levels of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters in certain foods
Update
The European Union (EU) has revised the maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) (the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters), and for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol), in certain processed cereal-based foods for babies, infants, and young children. It has also set maximum levels of those contaminants in some compound foods.
The EU has also reduced the maximum levels of 3-MCPD and glycidol in fats and oils destined to produce these foods, to ensure that the new maximum levels are not exceeded.
Impacted Products
Baby food; processed cereal-based food for infants and young children; compound foods (with more than 5% added fats/oils derived from vegetables, fish, and/or other marine organisms); vegetable oils and fats and/or oils from fish and/or other marine organisms to be used in the production of baby food and foods for infants and young children.
What is changing?
The European Commission has set new maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in:
- baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children
- compound foods that contain more than 5% added fats/oils derived from vegetables, fish, and/or other marine organisms.
It has also reduced maximum levels of these contaminants in oils and fats that are derived from vegetables, fish, and/or other marine organisms when these are to be used in the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children.
The changes are summarised in Table 1.
The new Regulation clarifies that refined olive oil must comply with the same maximum levels of 3-MCPD and glycidol as other vegetable oils and fats, and oils from fish and other marine organisms.
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has expressed health concerns about the presence of these substances in foods, especially in foods for infants and young children (EFSA 2016, 2018).
Timeline
The new maximum levels apply from 1 January 2027.
Foods that were lawfully placed on the EU market before 1 January 2027 are allowed to remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or use-by date, even if they do not comply with the new maximum levels.
Recommended Actions
Non-EU suppliers of these products for infants, or suppliers of foods containing more than 5% fat and added vegetable oils, fats, or fish oils, should evaluate current levels of 3-MCPD and glycidol in these foods to check compliance, or consider strategies for reducing the presence of these contaminants.
Background
3-MCPD and glycidyl esters are contaminants of processed vegetable oils; free MCPDs are formed in some processed foods, particularly when high temperatures are applied to fats and oils.
Maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol were established in Regulation 2023/915 for:
- vegetable oils and fats
- fish oils and oils from other marine organisms
- infant formulae and follow-on formulae
- food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children, and young child formulae.
The original maximum levels for 3-MCPD and its esters in specific food products for infants and young children were established by Regulation 2020/1322.
In January 2025, the EU reduced the maximum levels of the sum of 3-MCPD and its esters in certain specific food products for infants and young children (Regulation 2024/1003). These changes are shown in Table 2.
The EU aims to set maximum levels that are as low as reasonably achievable when applying good practices, based on scientific advice provided by EFSA. See EU legislation on contaminants – maximum levels explained.
Resources
EFSA (2016) Risks for human health related to the presence of 3- and 2-monochloropropanediol (MCPD), and their fatty acid esters, and glycidyl fatty acid esters in food. EFSA Journal, 14(5): e04426.
EFSA (2018) Update of the risk assessment on 3-monochloropropane diol and its fatty acid esters. EFSA Journal, 16(1): e05083.
European Commission (2008) Factsheet: Food contaminants.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1003 as regards maximum levels for the sum of 3-monochlorpropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children and young child formulae
Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food
Regulation (EU) 2020/1322 as regards maximum levels of 3‐monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters in certain foods
Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food
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
Tables & Figures
Table 1: Maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in infant formulae and compound food*
| Regulation 2023/915, Annex I | Products | Maximum level (μg/kg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | New from 1 Jan 2027 | ||
| 5.3 | Sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and its esters, expressed as 3-MCPD | ||
| 5.3.2 | Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms destined for baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | 750 | 500 |
| 5.3.3 | Infant formulae: | ||
| 5.3.3.1 | Infant formula (powder) | 80 | No change |
| 5.3.3.2 | Infant formula (liquid) | 12 | No change |
| 5.3.4 | Baby food | None | 50 |
| Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | |||
| 5.3.5 |
Compound food with >5% fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or oils from fish/other marine organisms except: - infant formula and baby food - pre-fried and fried coated meat and fish |
||
| 5.3.5.1 | With only oils and fats from coconut, maize, rapeseed, sunflower, soyabean, palm kernel, and olive oils | None | 1,250 µg/kg fat |
| 5.3.5.2 | With only other vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms and their mixtures | None | 2,500 µg/kg fat |
| 5.4 | Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol† | ||
| 5.4.2 | Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms destined for baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | 500 | 250 |
| 5.4.3 | Infant formulae: | ||
| 5.3.3.1 | Infant formula (powder) | 50 | No change |
| 5.3.3.2 | Infant formula (liquid) | 6 | No change |
| 5.4.4 | Baby food | None | 25 |
| Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | |||
| 5.4.5 | Compound food with > 5 % fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or oils from fish / other marine organisms except products listed in infant formula and baby food | None | 1,000 µg/kg fat |
* Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children, and young child formulae.
† Maximum level refers to the sum of glycidyl esters, 3-MBPD fatty acid esters, and 3-MIPD fatty acid esters.
Source: Regulation 2026/1825
Table 2: 2025 revisions of maximum levels for 3-MCPD and its esters in infant formulae*
| 3-MCPD maximum level (μg/kg) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation 2023/915, Annex I | Form | Previous (Regulation 2020/1322) | Current (Regulation 2024/1003) |
| 5.3.3.1 | Powder | 125 | 80 |
| 5.3.3.2 | Liquid | 15 | 12 |
* Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children, and young child formulae.
Source: Regulation 2026/1825
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU sets new maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in baby foods and compound foods
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
What is changing and why?
The European Commission has set new maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in:
- baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children
- compound foods that contain more than 5% added fats/oils derived from vegetables, fish, and/or other marine organisms.
It has also reduced maximum levels of these contaminants in vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms that are used in the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children. The changes are summarised in Table 1.
The European Food Safety Authority has expressed health concerns about the presence of these substances, especially in foods for infants and young children. In January 2025, the EU reduced the maximum levels of the sum of 3-MCPD and its esters in certain specific food products for infants and young children as shown in Table 2.
Actions
Non-EU suppliers of these products for infants, or suppliers of foods containing more than 5% fat and added vegetable oils, fats, or fish oils, should evaluate current levels of 3-MCPD and glycidol in these foods to check compliance, or consider strategies for reducing the presence of these contaminants.
Timeline
The new maximum levels apply from 1 January 2027.
Foods that were lawfully placed on the EU market before 1 January 2027 are allowed to remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or use-by date, even if they do not comply with new maximum levels.
Tables & Figures
Table 1: Maximum levels for 3-MCPD and glycidol in infant formulae and compound food*
| Regulation 2023/915, Annex I | Products | Maximum level (μg/kg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | New from 1 Jan 2027 | ||
| 5.3 | Sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and its esters, expressed as 3-MCPD | ||
| 5.3.2 | Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms destined for baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | 750 | 500 |
| 5.3.3 | Infant formulae: | ||
| 5.3.3.1 | Infant formula (powder) | 80 | No change |
| 5.3.3.2 | Infant formula (liquid) | 12 | No change |
| 5.3.4 | Baby food | None | 50 |
| Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | |||
| 5.3.5 |
Compound food with >5% fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or oils from fish/other marine organisms except: - infant formula and baby food - pre-fried and fried coated meat and fish |
||
| 5.3.5.1 | With only oils and fats from coconut, maize, rapeseed, sunflower, soyabean, palm kernel, and olive oils | None | 1,250 µg/kg fat |
| 5.3.5.2 | With only other vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms and their mixtures | None | 2,500 µg/kg fat |
| 5.4 | Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol† | ||
| 5.4.2 | Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and oils from other marine organisms destined for baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | 500 | 250 |
| 5.4.3 | Infant formulae: | ||
| 5.3.3.1 | Infant formula (powder) | 50 | No change |
| 5.3.3.2 | Infant formula (liquid) | 6 | No change |
| 5.4.4 | Baby food | None | 25 |
| Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children | |||
| 5.4.5 | Compound food with > 5 % fat and added vegetable oils and fats and/or oils from fish / other marine organisms except products listed in infant formula and baby food | None | 1,000 µg/kg fat |
* Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children, and young child formulae.
† Maximum level refers to the sum of glycidyl esters, 3-MBPD fatty acid esters, and 3-MIPD fatty acid esters.
Source: Regulation 2026/1825
Table 2: 2025 revisions of maximum levels for 3-MCPD and its esters in infant formulae*
| 3-MCPD maximum level (μg/kg) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation 2023/915, Annex I | Form | Previous (Regulation 2020/1322) | Current (Regulation 2024/1003) |
| 5.3.3.1 | Powder | 125 | 80 |
| 5.3.3.2 | Liquid | 15 | 12 |
* Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children, and young child formulae.
Source: Regulation 2026/1825
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.