First EU maximum levels for furan and methylfurans — in food for infants and young children
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890, published on 30 July 2026, sets maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran: 40 µg/kg in processed cereal-based food for infants and young children and 30 or 80 µg/kg in baby food. The levels apply from 1 January 2028.
- The sum is calculated as furan + 0.83 × 2-methylfuran + 0.83 × 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan, as lower-bound concentrations — results below the limit of quantification are taken as zero.
- The 30 µg/kg level applies to baby food containing at least 80 % dairy products, fruit or a mixture of both; other baby food has a level of 80 µg/kg.
- The basis is EFSA’s 2017 opinion that exposure to furan in food indicates a human health concern, with infants the most exposed, mainly through ready-to-eat jarred or canned foods; monitoring data under Recommendation (EU) 2022/495 and RASFF notifications from 2024 were also taken into account.
- Food lawfully placed on the market before 1 January 2028 may remain on the market until its date of minimum durability or use-by date.
Source: Dziennik Urzędowy Unii Europejskiej — rozporządzenie Komisji (UE) 2026/1890