Use of quillaia extract in food supplements
- Food additives
- Food safety
Summary
The European Union (EU) has extended its approval of quillaia extract (E 999) to include solid and liquid food supplements (excluding food supplements for infants and young children). Quillaia extract was previously approved in the EU as an emulsifier in spray-dried flavourings. The EU has also set more stringent specifications for this substance, including stricter maximum limits for toxic elements.
EU extends approved use of quillaia extract (E 999) to include food supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2084 of 17 October 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of quillaia extract (E 999) and Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the specifications for quillaia extract (E 999)
Update
The European Union (EU) has extended its approval of quillaia extract (E 999) to include solid and liquid food supplements (excluding food supplements for infants and young children). Quillaia extract was previously approved in the EU as an emulsifier in spray-dried flavourings. The EU has also set more stringent specifications for this substance, including stricter maximum limits for toxic elements.
Impacted Products
Flavoured drinks, cider and perry, food supplements
What is changing?
The EU has extended the authorised use of quillaia extract (E 999) in flavourings to allow their use in solid and liquid food supplements. The specifications for quillaia extract, set out in Regulation 231/2012, are amended to:
- reduce the maximum limits for lead, mercury, and arsenic
- adopt maximum limits for cadmium and calcium oxalate
- adopt microbiological criteria and minimum content for saponins
- amend the definition of quillaia extract to better describe its composition (including the CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry Number)
- express maximum use levels on a saponins basis
These more stringent specifications are detailed in Annex III of the new Regulation.
Why?
Based on data for the food categories that are currently authorised, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that the proposed extension of use would not exceed the established acceptable daily intake (ADI) for quillaia extract (EFSA 2024b).
Timeline
The new use of quillaia extract in food supplements is permitted from 9 November 2025.
The new, stricter specifications apply from 9 May 2026. Quillaia extract placed on the market before 9 May 2026 in accordance with previous specifications can be sold until stocks are exhausted. Foods containing quillaia extract placed on the market before 9 May 2026 in accordance with previous specifications may remain on the market until their use-by date.
Background
Annex III of Regulation 1333/2008 presents a list of permitted food additives, food enzymes, food flavourings, and nutrients, and sets out conditions of use for each additive.
Quillaia extract (E 999) is already authorised for use as an emulsifier in flavourings.
Resources
EFSA (2019) Re‐evaluation of Quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive and safety of the proposed extension of use. EFSA Journal, 17(3): 5622.
EFSA (2024a) Follow-up of the re-evaluation of quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive and safety of the proposed extension of uses, EFSA Journal, 22: e8563.
EFSA (2024b) Scientific opinion on the extension of uses of quillaia extract (E 999) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 22: e9140.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 laying down specifications for food additives
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2084 as regards the use of quillaia extract (E 999) and […] as regards the specifications for quillaia extract (E 999)
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