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Jan 10, 2019 - Foods

Maximum levels for erucic acid in food

Erucic acid is a natural component of vegetable oils and fats. However, excessive intake of erucic acid can adversely affect health. For this reason, EU Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 regulates the maximum levels of erucic acid in food.

The EU Commission has now proposed to examine and revise the existing maximum levels for erucic acid. The EU Commission plans to set the following limits:

• Vegetable oils and fats: 20 g/kg (currently: 50 g/kg)
• Foods with added vegetable oils and fats (excluding infant formula and follow-on formula): not applicable (currently: 50 g/kg)
• Infant formula and follow-on formula: 4 g/kg (currently: 10 g/kg)
• Mustard: 30 g/kg (currently: no maximum level)

The BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) supports lowering the maximum levels for the intake of erucic acid and the introduction of a new limit for mustard. Maximum levels for foods with added vegetable oils and fats, such as cakes or cookies, are no longer included in the proposal by the EU Commission compared to the current regulation.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct analyses for fatty acids. We provide fast and reliable results.
Our customer advisors are more than happy to assist you with any questions.

Source: BfR Opinion No. 044/2018 of December 20, 2018