EU Regulation 2026/1890 introduces new furan and methylfuran limits for baby food from 2028. Learn what manufacturers should review now.

EU Regulation 2026/1890: New Furan Limits for Baby Food — What Manufacturers Need to Check

A new EU regulation is changing the requirements for furan and methylfurans in baby food.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 amends Regulation (EU) 2023/915 and introduces maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan. The regulation was adopted on 29 July 2026 and will apply from 1 January 2028. Eur-Lex

For manufacturers of baby food and cereal-based foods for infants and young children, this is more than a new number on a specification sheet.

It means reviewing products, processes, analytical methods and supplier controls before the application date.

What does Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 change?

The new regulation adds maximum levels for the combined concentration of:

Furan
2-methylfuran
3-methylfuran

The levels are expressed as furan equivalents. For 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, a factor of 0.83 is applied.

The calculation is therefore:

Furan + 0.83 × 2-methylfuran + 0.83 × 3-methylfuran

The regulation specifies that the maximum levels use lower-bound concentrations, meaning values below the limit of quantification are treated as zero for the calculation. Eur-Lex

This detail matters when reviewing analytical results.

Which products are affected?

The new limits cover two main groups.

Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children

Maximum level: 40 µg/kg

Baby food

There are two different limits.

Dairy-based or fruit-based baby food:
30 µg/kg

This applies where at least 80% of the product consists of dairy products, fruit, or a mixture of dairy and fruit.

Other baby food:
80 µg/kg

These limits are set out directly in the new Annex entry to Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Eur-Lex

When do the new limits apply?

This is one of the most important points for manufacturers.

The regulation entered into force on 19 August 2026, but the new maximum levels will apply from:

1 January 2028

Food that was lawfully placed on the market before that date can remain on the market until its minimum durability or use-by date. Eur-Lex

That gives manufacturers time to prepare.

However, waiting until the end of 2027 would be a poor strategy.

The relevant products, processes and testing methods should be reviewed well before then.

Why is furan being regulated?

Furan and methylfurans are process contaminants.

They can form when food is heated during processing or cooking. Their formation depends on the composition of the food and the processing conditions. Eur-Lex

This makes them different from contaminants that enter food primarily through environmental exposure or agricultural practices.

For manufacturers, that distinction is important.

You may not be able to control furan simply by changing a raw-material supplier.

The processing step itself can be part of the problem.

Why are infants and young children a particular focus?

EFSA’s scientific assessment identified infants and young children as an important exposure group, with ready-to-eat jarred or canned foods contributing significantly to furan exposure in this population. European Food Safety Authority

EFSA also concluded that exposure to furan and methylfurans in food raises potential health concerns and could be associated with long-term liver effects. European Food Safety Authority

The new regulation therefore targets products specifically intended for infants and young children.

What should manufacturers check first?

The first question is simple:

Which of your products fall within the new categories?

Review your portfolio and identify:

cereal-based foods for infants and young children
dairy-based baby foods
fruit-based baby foods
mixed dairy and fruit products
other baby foods

Then determine which maximum level applies.

Do not assume that every baby-food product has the same limit.

The classification matters.

Step 1: Map the affected products

Create a product list with:

Product	Category	Applicable limit
Cereal-based infant food	Processed cereal-based food	40 µg/kg
Dairy-based baby food	≥80% dairy/fruit category	30 µg/kg
Fruit-based baby food	≥80% dairy/fruit category	30 µg/kg
Other baby food	Other baby food	80 µg/kg

The classification should be documented because it determines the applicable maximum level. Eur-Lex

Step 2: Review your existing analytical data

Next, look at historical furan data.

Ask:

Have these products been tested before?

If yes:

Which batches were tested?
Which products were analysed?
Was 2-methylfuran measured?
Was 3-methylfuran measured?
What was the limit of quantification?
Which analytical method was used?
Were samples tested before or after preparation?
Are the results representative of current production?

This information can help determine how much additional testing is needed.

Testing only furan is no longer enough

This is a particularly important change.

The new regulatory limit is based on the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran.

Therefore, a testing programme that measures only furan does not fully address the new regulatory requirement.

The analytical strategy needs to account for all three compounds and the specified 0.83 conversion factor for the methylfurans. Eur-Lex

Step 3: Check the analytical method

The analytical method needs to be suitable for the new regulatory requirement.

Pay particular attention to:

analytes measured
limit of quantification
selectivity
sample preparation
recovery
calibration
reporting units
calculation of the combined result

The European Commission had already discussed analytical performance criteria for furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran during preparation of the regulation. Food Safety

That means laboratories and manufacturers should not simply reuse an old furan method without checking whether it covers the new requirement adequately.

Step 4: Look at the manufacturing process

This is where the regulation becomes particularly relevant for R&D and production teams.

Furan is formed during thermal processing.

Review steps such as:

heating
sterilisation
pasteurisation
baking
roasting
drying
concentration

The goal is to identify where process conditions could influence furan formation.

EFSA notes that temperature and processing conditions influence how much furan forms and how much is subsequently lost, particularly because furan is volatile. European Food Safety Authority

So reducing furan may require process optimisation, not simply more testing.

More heat does not automatically mean more furan

The relationship is not always as simple as:

higher temperature = higher final concentration

Formation and loss can occur simultaneously.

Furan is volatile, so some of the compound can escape during processing or preparation.

The final concentration therefore depends on several factors, including:

formulation
temperature
processing time
closed or open processing conditions
water content
packaging
subsequent handling

That is why manufacturers should evaluate the complete process rather than changing one parameter blindly.

Step 5: Review the formulation

The formulation can influence furan formation.

Furan can form from substances naturally present in foods, including carbohydrates, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids and other compounds. European Food Safety Authority

Therefore, review:

carbohydrate sources
fruit ingredients
dairy ingredients
oils and fats
vitamin C-containing ingredients
other heat-sensitive components

This does not mean that one ingredient should automatically be considered the cause.

Furan formation is a process-dependent phenomenon.

The useful question is:

How does this formulation behave under our specific processing conditions?

Step 6: Review supplier specifications

Raw-material suppliers can be an important part of the control strategy.

Ask whether suppliers provide:

furan data
methylfuran data
processing information
batch history
relevant specifications
process controls

However, supplier data should not automatically replace finished-product testing.

Furan can form during your own manufacturing process.

A raw material can therefore comply with its specification while the finished product develops higher concentrations during processing.

Step 7: Test representative finished products

Finished-product testing is particularly important because the regulation applies to the food placed on the market.

Consider testing:

different product types
different recipes
different production lines
different processing conditions
different packaging formats
different batch sizes

Historical data can help identify where the highest-risk products are.

A risk-based approach is more useful than treating every product identically.

Step 8: Pay attention to the packaging

Packaging can matter because furan is volatile.

The conditions between processing and consumption can influence the final concentration.

Consider:

container type
filling temperature
headspace
sealing
storage
heating instructions

For baby food, the preparation instructions may also matter.

EFSA reported that reheating ready-to-eat infant meals in a hot-water bath without a lid could reduce furan exposure by around 15–30%, illustrating how handling can influence exposure. European Food Safety Authority

For manufacturers, this highlights an important point:

The product does not exist only at the moment it leaves the production line.

Step 9: Review preparation instructions

If the product is intended to be reheated or prepared before consumption, consider how those instructions interact with furan exposure.

Relevant factors can include:

heating temperature
heating duration
open vs. closed heating
mixing
serving conditions

The regulatory maximum applies to the product under the specified regulatory framework, but preparation can still be relevant when evaluating consumer exposure and product behaviour.

Step 10: Build a product-specific risk assessment

Not every baby food will have the same furan risk.

A risk assessment should consider:

Formula

What ingredients are present?

Process

Which thermal treatments are used?

Packaging

How is the product filled and stored?

Historical data

What concentrations have previously been observed?

Variability

How consistent are results between batches?

This can identify products that deserve closer attention before 2028.

What should manufacturers do if results are close to the limit?

Do not wait for an actual exceedance.

Suppose a product has a maximum level of:

30 µg/kg

and historical results are:

22 → 24 → 25 → 27 → 28 µg/kg

The product may still comply.

But the trend deserves attention.

A process that consistently approaches the limit has less room for normal variation.

That is where process optimisation can be much more valuable than simply increasing the testing frequency.

What if a product exceeds the new limit?

First, investigate.

Possible questions include:

Was the sample representative?
Was the analytical method appropriate?
Were all three compounds measured correctly?
Was the calculation performed correctly?
Is the result reproducible?
Which processing step could explain the concentration?
Has the formulation changed?
Has the manufacturing process changed?

Only after the analytical result is confirmed should corrective action be determined.

Potential actions could include changes to:

formulation
processing conditions
heating profile
residence time
packaging
supplier controls

The right intervention depends on the product.

Don’t wait until January 2028

The regulation gives manufacturers a transition period.

That does not mean the work should begin in late 2027.

A sensible preparation timeline is:

Now

Identify affected products and review existing data.

Establish whether current analytical methods cover furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran.

Then

Test representative products and identify high-risk formulations or processes.

Before 2028

Optimise processes where necessary and update specifications and quality-control procedures.

This turns a regulatory deadline into a manageable product-development project.

What should go into the quality system?

Once the new requirements become applicable, manufacturers should ensure that relevant quality documentation reflects them.

This can include:

product specifications
analytical methods
sampling plans
supplier requirements
finished-product testing
batch-release procedures
trend monitoring
corrective-action procedures

The new maximum levels are directly incorporated into Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Eur-Lex

The change should therefore become part of the manufacturer’s established food-safety and quality system.

Why this is not just a laboratory issue

The new furan limits sit at the intersection of:

Regulatory Affairs

What limits apply?

Analytical Testing

Can the three compounds be measured reliably?

R&D

Which formulation factors influence formation?

Production

Which processing conditions matter?

Quality

How should the results be controlled and documented?

Supply Chain

Which raw materials and suppliers require additional oversight?

A successful response needs these areas to work together.

A practical checklist for manufacturers

Before the new limits apply, check:

Product classification
Which maximum level applies?

Historical data
Do you know your current furan levels?

Analytical method
Does the method cover all three regulated compounds?

LOQ
Is the method sensitive enough for the applicable limits?

Formula
Could formulation influence formation?

Process
Which thermal steps require review?

Packaging
Could filling and storage affect final concentrations?

Suppliers
What information is available for critical ingredients?

Specifications
Do internal limits reflect the new legal requirements?

Monitoring
How will results be trended over time?

The key numbers at a glance

Product category	New maximum level
Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children	40 µg/kg
Dairy- or fruit-based baby food, ≥80% relevant ingredients	30 µg/kg
Other baby food	80 µg/kg

The values apply to the sum of furan + 0.83 × 2-methylfuran + 0.83 × 3-methylfuran, expressed as furan. The new limits apply from 1 January 2028. Eur-Lex

The Makrolife perspective

For manufacturers, the new regulation creates a clear need to connect regulatory requirements with analytical testing and process control.

The first question should not be:

“Can you test our baby food for furan?”

It should be:

“Which products are affected, what evidence do we already have, and what testing do we need to demonstrate compliance?”

From there, the assessment can cover:

product classification
regulatory requirements
analytical method selection
furan and methylfuran testing
risk assessment
process-related investigations
specification review
regulatory documentation

That approach helps manufacturers prepare for the 2028 application date without treating the new regulation as a last-minute testing exercise.

The bottom line

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 introduces new maximum levels for furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in cereal-based foods for infants and young children and in baby food.

The limits range from 30 to 80 µg/kg for baby food, with a separate 40 µg/kg limit for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children. They apply from 1 January 2028. Eur-Lex

For manufacturers, the smartest response is to start now:

identify affected products → review existing data → verify analytical methods → assess processing → test representative products → optimise where needed → update specifications.

The regulation gives you time.

Use it to understand your process before the deadline does it for you.