SGS publishes white paper on new EU contaminant limits

SGS has released a white paper to help food businesses navigate Regulation (EU) 2026/1825, which sets new and revised limits for 3-MCPD, 3-MCPDE and glycidyl esters in foods. The guide is aimed at manufacturers, importers, retailers and testing labs facing new rules for compound foods and products for babies and young children.

Why it matters: - Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 changes how food businesses must manage 3-MCPD, 3-MCPDE and glycidyl esters. - The new limits affect product compliance, testing strategies and regulatory management programs across the supply chain. - The changes are especially important for products intended for babies, infants and young children, where limits are stricter.

What happened: - SGS published a new white paper titled “New EU requirements for 3-MCPD, 3-MCPDE and glycidyl esters in food.” - The guide is designed to help food businesses prepare for the latest EU regulatory requirements. - The white paper covers implications for manufacturers, importers, retailers and food testing laboratories. - The release was issued from Baar, Switzerland, on September 11, 2026.

The details: - Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 introduces new and revised maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol, 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters. - The rule adds new requirements for compound foods. - The rule also tightens limits for certain products intended for babies, infants and young children. - The white paper reviews the regulatory background and explains the key amendments. - The paper provides guidance on implementing the new requirements. - The guide explores why Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 was introduced. - The guide examines key analytical testing and conformity assessment considerations. - The guide outlines regulatory transition periods and compliance deadlines. - The guide recommends practical steps to review monitoring programs, supply chain controls and compliance strategies. - The white paper discusses method selection, result interpretation and conformity assessment under the revised framework. - Stakeholders can download the white paper for free.

Between the lines: - The white paper positions SGS as a technical advisor for companies that need to adapt testing and compliance procedures before the new limits take full effect. - The emphasis on analytical methods suggests that laboratories and quality teams may need to update procedures, not just product specifications.

What's next: - Food businesses are expected to review existing monitoring programs and supplier controls against the new EU limits. - Manufacturers and labs will need to align testing and conformity assessment practices with the revised framework. - Compliance teams will need to track transition periods and deadlines to avoid gaps in market access.

The bottom line: - SGS is using the white paper to steer food companies through a more demanding EU contaminant regime, with the biggest operational impact likely in testing, documentation and product reformulation.