Marjoram oil in feed: two markers — 4-terpinenol and α-terpineol determined by GC-FID, estragole at most 0.29 %, myristicin at most 0.001 % and a single maximum content of 10 mg/kg for all species
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2110, published on 24 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 14 October 2036 the essential oil from the dried leaves of Origanum majorana L. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species, with a maximum content of 10 mg/kg complete feed. The limit follows from the presence of estragole of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group; mixing of volatile fractions is allowed to meet the specification. Use in water for drinking was not authorised.
- Specification: 4-terpinenol 14–32 %, γ-terpinene 11–18 %, α-terpinene 6–12 %, sabinene 4–10 %, trans-sabinene hydrate 1.5–7.5 %, α-terpineol 1–5 %, estragole at most 0.29 %, myristicin at most 0.001 %. The phytochemical markers 4-terpinenol and α-terpineol are determined in the additive by GC-FID; the act does not name an ISO standard for this method.
- Data from the EFSA opinion: 5 batches from leaves sourced in Egypt; by GC-FID 4-terpinenol 20.94–22.68 %, α-terpineol 2.89–3.21 %, up to 40 peaks detected, all identified, and the largest constituent outside the specification was cis-sabinene hydrate (15.19–16.82 %). Estragole was detected in 2 batches — 0.06 % and 0.29 %, and the upper value became the specification limit; myristicin was below the limit of detection of 0.001 %, and that limit is its specification value.
- The maximum content of 10 mg/kg complete feed applies to all animal species. EFSA considered this dose safe for species for fattening and very unlikely to cause adverse effects in long-living animals; for cats it applied a wider margin of exposure (MOET 500), because cats have an unusually low capacity for glucuronidation, and at 10 mg/kg the calculated MOET for cats was 723.
- The Polish version of Article 2(1) calls the additive authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC “marjoram tincture”, whereas the English and German versions call it marjoram essential oil. EFSA considered the oil a skin and eye irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser, and user exposure to estragole, a genotoxic carcinogen, a risk to be minimised. Additive and premixtures made under the old rules before 14 April 2027, feed for food-producing animals before 14 October 2027 and other feed before 14 October 2028 may be used until stocks are exhausted.