Citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus) in feed: citronellal marker 3–6 % determined by GC-FID according to ISO 3849, methyleugenol at most 1 % and maximum contents from 2 to 30 mg/kg
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2128, published on 21 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 11 October 2036 the essential oil from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The Commission justifies the maximum contents by the presence of methyleugenol, a substance of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group. Use in water for drinking was not authorised.
- Specification: citronellal 3–6 %, geraniol 15–23 %, citronellol 3–8.5 %, limonene 7–11.5 %, (E)-methyl isoeugenol 7–15 %, methyleugenol at most 1 %. The phytochemical marker citronellal is determined in the additive by GC-FID according to ISO 3849. According to EFSA, the specification was based on ISO 3849:2003 for oil of citronella, Sri Lanka type, adapted to the concentrations of selected constituents.
- Data from the EFSA opinion: one batch analysed by GC-FID complied with the specification; in 4 batches analysed by GC-MS all constituents were within the specification except limonene, at 5.75–7.18 % against the required 7–11.5 %. GC-MS showed up to 104 constituents, all identified; the five specified constituents accounted on average for 44.7 % of peak area. Methyleugenol in the 4 batches: 0.41–1.00 % (mean 0.57 %), whereas the EFSA compendium of botanicals reported 51–204 mg/kg for this oil.
- Maximum contents in mg/kg complete feed: salmonids 30.0; turkeys for fattening 24.0; pigs for fattening, pigs for fattening of minor Suidae, calves for fattening up to 6 months, sheep and goats for fattening, cattle and other ruminants for fattening and Leporidae for fattening 20.0; chickens for fattening 18.0; dogs 10.0; Equidae and other sheep and goats 9.5; Suidae for reproduction and other ruminants 6.0; laying and reared-for-laying poultry, ornamental birds, piglets and other Leporidae 3.5; cats and other species 2.0. EFSA gave 20 mg/kg jointly for piglets, pigs for fattening and other Suidae for meat production; the act assigns 3.5 mg/kg to piglets.
- EFSA considered the oil a skin and eye irritant and a skin sensitiser and noted that unprotected users handling it may be exposed to methyleugenol, so exposure must be minimised; the act requires skin, eye and respiratory protection where procedures cannot eliminate the risks. The additive is used only via a premixture, with the sum of p-allylalkoxybenzenes limited when combined with other additives. Additive and premixtures made under the old rules before 11 April 2027, feed for food-producing animals before 11 October 2027 and other feed before 11 October 2028 may be used until stocks are exhausted.