Arabic gum authorized in EU feed 2026: what manufacturers must do

Key data

Feed manufacturers in the European Union have had a new legal tool in their formulations since March 11, 2026: arabic gum is authorized as a technological additive for feed intended for all animal species. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/540, published on March 12, 2026, establishes the harmonized framework for its use throughout the EU market.

The regulation eliminates the regulatory uncertainty that existed regarding this ingredient in the animal feed sector and opens the door to its systematic incorporation in production lines, always under the specific conditions established by the regulation itself.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/540 authorizes arabic gum as a technological category additive—specifically as a binder and stabilizer—in feed for all animal species. It is a plant-based ingredient already widely used in the human food industry, which now has explicit regulatory support for its use in animal feed in the EU.

The key aspects regulated by the regulation are:

• Authorization of use: Arabic gum is authorized as a technological additive in feed for all animal species without exception.
• Conditions of use: Operators must comply with the maximum doses established in the regulation for each type of feed or species.
• Labeling: Feed incorporating this additive must comply with the specific labeling requirements set out in the regulation.
• Direct application: As a European Implementing Regulation, it has direct effect in all member states without the need for transposition into national legislation.
• Harmonized framework: The authorization simplifies the regulatory framework by establishing a single standard for the entire EU market.

Economic and operational impact

For feed manufacturers, this authorization represents primarily an operational opportunity: they can incorporate a natural binder and stabilizer with clear regulatory support, which facilitates the diversification of formulations and can improve the technical quality of products.

The operational impact is concentrated in two areas:

• Product reformulation: Companies wishing to incorporate arabic gum must review their current formulations to adjust doses to the maximum permitted by the regulation and ensure technical compliance.
• Labeling update: Any feed that includes this additive must reflect its presence in the labeling in accordance with the conditions of Regulation 2026/540. This involves reviewing and updating packaging materials and technical documentation.

From a compliance perspective, the direct application of the regulation in all member states eliminates the need to manage different national regulations, which reduces the administrative burden for operators marketing in several EU countries.

Who does it affect?

• Feed manufacturers: They are the primary recipients of the regulation. They must review formulations, verify doses and update labeling if they incorporate or plan to incorporate arabic gum.
• Operators in the animal feed sector: Any company involved in the production or distribution chain of feed containing this additive must know the conditions of use.
• Livestock farmers: Indirectly affected as end users of feed. They must ensure that suppliers comply with current regulations.
• Quality and regulatory managers in companies in the sector: They must update the technical files of affected products and verify compliance with the new conditions.
• Advisors and consultants in the agricultural sector: They must inform their clients about the new possibilities and obligations introduced by the regulation.

Practical example

A compound feed manufacturer for cattle that has so far used other binders in its production line can, from March 11, 2026, legally incorporate arabic gum in its formulations in a harmonized manner throughout the EU.

To do this correctly, this manufacturer must:

1. Verify in the text of Regulation 2026/540 the maximum doses authorized for feed intended for cattle.
2. Adapt the product formulation to not exceed those limits.
3. Update the labeling of the feed to reflect the presence of arabic gum as a technological additive, in accordance with the labeling conditions of the regulation.
4. Document the change in the product technical file to demonstrate compliance in the event of an inspection.

If this same manufacturer markets in France, Germany and Italy, it does not need to manage three different national regulations: Regulation 2026/540 is directly applicable in all three countries under the same conditions.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the full text of Regulation 2026/540 to learn about the authorized maximum doses and specific labeling requirements applicable to each type of feed and animal species.
2. Evaluate current formulations to determine whether arabic gum is already being used and whether the conditions of use are compliant with the new framework, or whether there is an opportunity to incorporate it.
3. Update the labeling of all feed that contains or will contain arabic gum as an additive, ensuring that it complies with the regulation's conditions.
4. Update the technical files of affected products to reflect the use of the additive under Regulation 2026/540.
5. Inform the production and quality team about the new conditions of use to ensure compliance in the plant from now on, given that the regulation is already in force.