Nutmeg oil in feed: α-pinene marker determined by GC-FID according to ISO 3215, safrole up to 2.3 % and classification as a category 1B carcinogen, maximum contents from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2076, published on 18 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 8 October 2036 the essential oil from the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The Commission set maximum contents because the oil contains myristicin, safrole, elemicin and methyleugenol — substances of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group. Use in water for drinking was not authorised, as Regulation 1831/2003 does not provide for it for flavourings.
- Specification: sabinene 14–29 %, α-pinene 15–28 %, β-pinene 13–18 %, 4-terpinenol 2–6 %, d-limonene 2–7 %, γ-terpinene 2–6 %, myristicin at most 12 %, safrole at most 2.3 %, elemicin at most 0.4 %, methyleugenol at most 0.33 %. The phytochemical marker pin-2(3)-ene (α-pinene) is determined in the additive by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) according to ISO 3215. According to EFSA, the specification was based on ISO 3215:1998 for oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type.
- Data from the EFSA opinion: 7 batches from Indonesia; GC-MS detected up to 68 peaks, 61 of which were identified (on average 99.4 % of peak area). Myristicin came out at 12.42–13.98 % by GC-MS, i.e. above the specification range set by GC-FID (8.3–10.7 % by GC-FID); EFSA disregarded the GC-MS values, because for area-per-cent results without calibration standards the FID response depends less on molecular structure, and used the upper limit of 12 % for the assessment. Safrole 1.69–2.30 %, elemicin 0.31–0.40 %, methyleugenol 0.18–0.33 %.
- Maximum contents in mg/kg complete feed: calves for fattening up to 6 months, sheep and goats for fattening, cattle and other ruminants for fattening, salmonids 10; pigs for fattening 6.0; pigs for fattening of minor Suidae 5.0; Leporidae for fattening 4.4; turkeys for fattening 3.7; chickens for fattening 2.8; ornamental fish 2.5; dogs 0.6; cats, Equidae and other sheep and goats 0.5; Suidae for reproduction and other ruminants 0.3; laying and reared-for-laying poultry, ornamental birds, piglets, other Leporidae and other species 0.2. EFSA calculated 5.0 mg/kg for piglets and all Suidae for meat production; the act assigns 0.2 mg/kg to piglets (suckling and weaned).
- The additive is incorporated into feed only via a premixture. When combined with other additives, the sum of p-allylalkoxybenzenes (methyleugenol, estragole, elemicin, safrole, myristicin, dillapiole, apiole) must stay below the level resulting from the authorised additive with the highest content of them at its maximum dose. Because of safrole ≥ 0.1 % the oil is classified as a category 1B carcinogen and exposure by any route must be minimised; EFSA also considered it a skin and eye irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Additive and premixtures made under the old rules before 8 April 2027, feed for food-producing animals before 8 October 2027 and other feed before 8 October 2028 may be used until stocks are exhausted.