Egg membrane hydrolysate (enzymatically produced) as a novel food: the name “collagen peptides” rejected because collagen is only 15–30 %; specification: protein ≥ 70 %, TAMC ≤ 5 × 10⁴ CFU/g and no Listeria in 25 g
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1427, published on 3 July 2026, adds to the Union list of novel foods a hydrolysate of chicken eggshell membranes obtained with papain — for food supplements for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women, at up to 500 mg per day. The applicant, Eggnovo SL, has exclusivity for 5 years from 23 July 2026.
- The Commission changed the name from the applicant’s “egg membrane collagen peptides” to “egg membrane hydrolysate (enzymatically produced)”, because with a collagen content of 15–30 % w/w the former name could mislead consumers. The addition distinguishes it from the egg membrane hydrolysate from a different process authorised earlier (2018 EFSA opinion, up to 450 mg per day).
- Specification: crude protein ≥ 70 %, collagen 15–30 %, moisture ≤ 8 %; TAMC ≤ 5 × 10⁴ CFU/g, yeasts and moulds ≤ 100 CFU/g, no E. coli in 10 g and no Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g. It was EFSA that proposed adding Listeria and lowering TAMC from 10⁵ to 5 × 10⁴ CFU/g.
- Methods in the EFSA opinion (29 September 2025): protein — Kjeldahl, collagen and glycosaminoglycans — HPLC, ash — calcination, fat — Soxhlet, metals — ICP-MS (lead 0.17–0.18 mg/kg, < 0.01 in one batch; arsenic 0.08–0.09 mg/kg). Molecular weight distribution by SEC-HPLC: about 86 % of the peptides are about 2.8 kDa, the rest < 1.0 kDa.
- An ELISA for ovalbumin and ovomucoid gave results below the limit of quantification in the product, but supplements must be labelled as containing egg. According to EFSA the 500 mg daily dose contains about 20 mg of papain, which is inactivated but not removed, so allergic reactions to papain are possible. Label: not for persons under 18, pregnant or lactating women.