New EU Regulation on 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters published

: Published: 14 September 2026

On 30 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 came into force. This amends the levels of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE).

The most significant changes are: maximum levels for baby food and processed cereal products for infants and young children; stricter maximum levels for oils and fats used in the manufacture of these products; and maximum levels for compound foods containing added vegetable oils and fats.

3-MCPD (3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) is formed primarily during the high-temperature refining of vegetable oils and fats at temperatures around 200 °C. A significant proportion of this is not present as free 3-MCPD, but as fatty acid esters. These esters can be hydrolysed back into 3-MCPD in the digestive tract. 3-MCPD is associated with kidney damage and has a carcinogenic effect. It can also have a negative impact on male fertility.

Glycidyl esters are even more dangerous. During digestion, the esters are largely hydrolysed to glycidol. Glycidol possesses a highly reactive epoxide group. This can react with DNA and other biological molecules. The EFSA therefore classifies glycidol as genotoxic and carcinogenic.

Infants can ingest relatively large amounts of vegetable fats via infant formula. At the same time, their body weight is very low. As a result, the intake of GE or 3-MCPD esters per kilogramme of body weight can be considerably higher than that of an average adult. The EFSA therefore identified a particular need to reduce the risk, especially for infants and young children.

	Product category	Maximum residue levels in µg/kg
	Sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD	today	from 01.01.2027	Notes
5.3.2	Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other marine organisms destined for the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children ⁽³⁾	750	500	When the product is a mixture of different oils or fats of the same or of different botanical origins, the maximum level applies for the mixture. The oils and fats used as ingredients for the mixture shall comply with the maximum level established for the oils and fats in point 5.3.1.
5.3.4	Baby food⁽³⁾ Processed cereal based food for infants and young children ⁽³⁾	n/a	50	The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.
	Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol
5.4.2	Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other marine organisms destined for the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3)	500	250	When the product is a mixture of different oils or fats of the same or of different botanical origins, the maximum level applies for the mixture. The oils and fats used as ingredient for the mixture shall comply with the maximum level established for the oils and fats in point 5.4.1.
5.4.4	Baby food⁽³⁾ Processed cereal based food for infants and young children ⁽³⁾	n/a	25	The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.

	For foot notes please refer to the regulation

YOUR PLUS: The AGROLAB GROUP’s food laboratories carry out tests for 3-MCPD, 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters, and always evaluate the results in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger AGROLAB GROUP

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